Massive demonstrations were organised throughout the country today, as per the call of the Co-ordination Committee of BSNLEU, AIBDPA and BSNLCCWF. Thundering slogans were raised demanding settlement of 3^rd Wage Revision, Pension Revision and other important demands. This is the first of the three staged agitational programme, that has been called on by the Co-ordination Committee. CHQ heartily congratulates all the circle and district unions which have successfully organised today's programme.

BSNL Corporate Office at New Delhi, witnessed a spirited demonstration today, organised by the Co-ordination Committee of BSNLEU, AIBDPA and BSNLCCWF. The demonstration was organised at the main gate of the Corporate Office. The privatisation of Public Sector, the selling out of BSNL’s mobile towers, were condemned. Thundering slogans were raised, demanding immediate settlement of 3^rd Wage Revision, Pension Revision, settlement of medical bills, holding of the LICEs, etc. Com.P.Abhimanyu, General Secretary, addressed the gathering and condemned the privatisation of PSUs and selling out of BSNL’s towers. He demanded immediate settlement of all the demands. He also thanked the Corporate Office, NTR circle, UP(West) and Haryana circle unions for making the demonstration a grand success.

ज्वलंत समस्याओं के निपटारे के लिए आंदोलन  :  कल-14.09.2021 के प्रदर्शन कार्यक्रम को पूर्ण रूप से सफल बनायें ।

बीएसएनएलईयू-BSNLEU की हैदराबाद सीईसी-Hyderabad CEC की मीटिंग के निर्णय के अनुसार और बीएसएनएलईयू-BSNLEU, एआईबीडीपीए-AIBDPA और बीएसएनएलसीसीडब्ल्यूएफ-BSNLCCWF की समन्वय समिति-Coordination Committee में आंदोलन कार्यक्रम को अंतिम रूप दिया गया है । आंदोलन कार्यक्रम-agitational programme का पहला चरण कल पूरे देश में हो रहा है । तदनुसार, कल-14.09.2021 दोपहर के भोजन अवकाश में  प्रदर्शन आयोजित किए जाने चाहिए । बीएसएनएलईयू के सर्कल और जिला यूनियन से अनुरोध है कि वे एआईबीडीपीए और बीएसएनएलसीसीडब्ल्यूएफ के साथ समन्वय पूर्वक प्रदर्शनों को सफलतापूर्वक आयोजित करने के लिए पहल करें । कर्मचारियों, पेंशनरों और संविदा कर्मियों की ज्वलंत समस्याओं के समाधान की मांग को लेकर यह आंदोलनात्मक कार्यक्रम आयोजित किया जा रहा है। जिसमें * तृतीय वेतन संशोधन, पेंशन संशोधन, संविदा कर्मियों के वेतन बकाया का भुगतान, चिकित्सा बिलों का निपटारा, सभी एलआईसीई-LICE आयोजित करना, डीआर कर्मचारियों के 30% सेवानिवृत्ति लाभों का निपटान * और अन्य मुद्दे शामिल हैं ।प्रत्येक नॉन-एक्ज़ीक्यूटिव कर्मचारी, पेंशनर व संविदा कर्मी को आंदोलन का संदेश देकर कार्यक्रम को पूर्ण रूप से सफल बनायें । 

Based on the initiative taken by BSNLEU, BSNL Corporate Office took action to implement Health Insurance Policy to the willing employees of BSNL. An MoU was signed between BSNL Management and the Dehradun Divisional Office of New India Assurance Company Ltd. This Health Insurance Policy was to be implemented w.e.f. 01^st September, 2021. Totally, 17,228 employees have given option to join this scheme. However, the Corporate Office of the New India Assurance Company Ltd. has not given it’s approval for the MoU so far. BSNLEU is vigorously pursuing this issue. CMD BSNL and the Director (HR) are taking up this issue with the Chairman New Indian Assurance Company Ltd.  Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, discussed this issue with Shri Arvind Vadnerkar, Director (HR), BSNL.  As of now, it appears that, implementation of BSNL Health Insurance Policy is likely to be delayed. 

As per the decision of the Hyderabad CEC meeting of BSNLEU and finalised in the Co-Ordination Committee of BSNLEU, AIBDPA and BSNLCCWF, the first phase of the agitational programme is taking place throughout the country tomorrow. Accordingly, lunch hour demonstrations should be organised tomorrow. The circle and district unions of BSNLEU are requested to take the initiative, in coordination with the AIBDPA and BSNLCCWF, to organise the demonstrations very successfully. This agitational programme is being organised, demanding settlement of the burning problems of the employees, pensioners and contract workers, which include 3^rd Wage Revision, Pension Revision, payment of wage arrears of the contract workers, settlement of the medical bills, holding all the LICEs, settlement of 30% Superannuation Benefits of the DR Employees and other issues. Let us make the programme successful by taking the message of the agitation to each and every Non-Executive, pensioner and contract worker. 

The 7th circle conference of BSNLEU, Odisha circle, started at Bhubaneswar today. It is inspiring to observe that, despite the Covid-19 pandemic, large number of employees are participating in the conference enthusiastically. At the outset, respectful homage was paid to Com.P.R.Das, former circle secretary of BSNLEU, who passed away recently. Floral tributes were also paid to the departed leader. Com.S.C.Bhattacharya, circle president, is presiding over the conference. Com.S.R.Das, circle secretary, welcomed everyone. Com.P.Abhimanyu, General Secretary, delivered the inaugural address of the conference. He explained about the achievements of BSNLEU during the COVID-19 pandemic. The General Secretary also explained in detail about the road-blocks being created by the government in the launching of BSNL’s 4G service and about the "National Monetisation Pipeline", in the name of which the Nation's assets are being handed over to the big corporates, at throw away prices. Thereafter, the delegates session started and is going on. 

Soon after Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, took over as the Hon’ble Minister of Communications, the AUAB wrote him, requesting to grant a meeting to discuss the issues related to BSNL’s Revival, especially the undue delay in launching the 4G service. However, the Minister has not granted any meeting till now. It may be due to his preoccupation with the Monsoon Session of the Parliament. Now that the Parliament Session is over, the AUAB has once again written to him, requesting to grant a meeting.

As per the call of the CHQ of BSNLEU, the “Meet the Members” campaign is being organised in various circles. The circle level and district level leaders of BSNLEU, are meeting the employees and are campaigning against the anti-BSNL, anti-Pubic Sector and pro-corporate policies of the Modi government. The leaders are also distributing pamphlets creating awareness. Here are the views of the campaign being organised in certain circles.

As has already been informed, the Co-Ordination Committee of BSNLEU, AIBDPA and BSNLCCWF has decided to organise agitational programme on the burning issues of the serving and retired employees, as well as the contract workers. The notification for this agitational programme was issued to the CMD BSNL and Secretary, Telecom, yesterday.

Charter of demands.

1. Stop privatisation of the Public Sector.
2. Disburse salary on the last date of every month.
3. Settle 3rd Wage Revision for BSNL employees.
4. Implement Pension Revision with 15% fitment, by delinking from Wage Revision.
5. Scrap the SLA based outsourcing of landline and broadband works.
6. Implement 30% Superannuation Benefits to the Directly Recruited Employees.
7. Immediately hold the various LICEs.
8. Immediately pay the wage arrears of the contract workers.
9. Do not reduce the posts, in the name of “Restructuring”.
10. Settle the medical bills of the serving and retired employees without delay.
11. Stop retrenchment of contract workers and re-engage the already retrenched contract workers.
12. Implement 7thCPC pay scale for the casual labourers.
13. Settle the Rule 8 transfers of the DR JEs and other employees.
14. Implement E1 pay scale for the Non-Executives, as has already been approved by the BSNL Management Committee.
15. Introduce a New Promotion Policy, to solve the problem of stagnation.

Agitational programmes

1. Demonstrations on 14.09.2021.
2. March to SSA and BA (Business Area) Offices on 05th October, 2021.
3. March to the CGM Offices on 22nd October, 2021.

The Circle Conference of BSNLEU, Maharashtra circle, was held at Ahmednagar on 03^rd & 04^th September, 2021. The conference started with the flag hoisting ceremony. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the conference was well attended by delegates from the various SSAs of Maharashtra circle. Com. Appa Gagre, Circle President, presided over the conference. Com.N.K. Nalawade, Circle Secretary, welcomed the delegates and presented the report on activities. Com.Ganesh Hinge, circle treasurer, submitted the accounts of the Union. All the delegates participated in the deliberations. Very good suggestions were given by the delegates to strengthen BSNLEU in Maharashtra circle and to improve the quality of BSNL’s services. Com.Yusuf Hussain, General Secretary, Maharashtra Casual Contract Workers Union, greeted the conference. Com.P.Abhimanyu, General Secretary, addressed the conference and explained about the anti-Public Sector, anti-BSNL and pro-corporate policies of the Modi government. The General Secretary also explained about the decisions of the Hyderabad CEC meeting, the issues of the employees taken up and settled by BSNLEU and the demands, as well as the agitational programmes of the AUAB. Election of office bearers took place unanimously. 

Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS and Com.Anand Kumar Singh, AGS, met Shri P.K. Purwar, CMD BSNL today and discussed the following issues.

1. Payment of IDA arrears.

The leaders insisted that the IDA arrears, w.e.f. 01.10.2020 should be paid immediately. They pointed out that the payment of IDA arrears is already delayed and that further delay is undesirable. The CMD BSNL replied that the matter is under consideration.

2. 3rd Wage Revision.

The recently held CEC meeting of BSNLEU has passed a detailed resolution insisting upon the BSNL Management to immediately settle Wage Revision. The resolution is already sent to the CMD BSNL. In today's meeting, the leaders explained to the CMD BSNL, how the matter has already been discussed at the highest level, with the erstwhile Hon’ble Minister of State for Communications, as well as the erstwhile Secretary, Telecom, who had assured settlement of the Wage Revision. The leaders urged upon the CMD BSNL to immediately convene the Wage Negotiation Committee meeting and to sign the Wage Agreement. The CMD BSNL told that the matter would be looked into.

3. Unwarranted restrictions imposed on temporary transfers.

Recently the Corporate Office has issued letter, imposing restrictions on temporary transfers to employees. As per this letter, it will be impossible for the employees to get temporary transfers hereafter. BSNLEU has already issued a strong letter to the CMD BSNL demanding to review the decision. In today’s meeting, the leaders explained how the employees would be affected due to the restrictions imposed. The CMD BSNL assured to look into the matter.

4. Restructuring.

BSNLEU has already given a detailed note on the issue of Restructuring of BSNL’s Manpower. However, no serious meeting has been held with BSNLEU, to discuss the Union’s view. When this issue is raised in today’s meeting, the CMD BSNL replied that, the Management had already accepted BSNLEU’s demand for maintaining the Sr.TOA and the ATT as ‘Live Cadres’. However, BSNLEU demanded that, a discussion should be held with the Union, on it’s note. The CMD BSNL agreed for the same.

As has already been informed, the AUAB will be organising a 3 day dharna at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, on 21^st, 22^nd & 23^rd September, 2021. The AUAB issued notification today, to the Secretary, Telecom and CMD BSNL, for this dharna.

The Central Executive Committee meeting of BSNLEU, held at Hyderabad noted with concern that, the genuine grievances of the Non-Executives as well as the retired employees are not being addressed by the BSNL Management. Hence, the CEC meeting decided to organise agitational programmes under the banner of the Co-ordination Committee of BSNLEU, AIBDPA and BSNLCCWF. Accordingly, the Co-ordination Committee has met and finalised the charter of demands, as well as the agitational programmes. The following programmes would be organised by the Co-ordination Committee of BSNLEU, AIBDPA and BSNLCCWF.

Programme.

14.09.2021 –   Demonstrations.

05.10.2021 –   March to SSA / Business Area offices.

21.10.2021 –   March to CGM offices.

Charter of demands.

1. Stop privatisation of the Public Sector.
2. Payment of salary on the last date of every month.
3. 3^rd Wage Revision.
4. Pension Revision with 15% fitment, by delinking from Wage Revision.
5. Immediately pay the wage arrears of the contract workers.
6. Implement 30% Superannuation Benefits to the Directly Recruited Employees.
7. Immediately hold the various LICEs.
8. Introduce a New Promotion Policy, to solve the problem of stagnation.
9. Do not reduce the posts, in the name of “Restructuring”.
10. Settle the medical bills of the serving and retired employees without delay.
11. Implement 7th CPC pay scale for the casual labourers.
12. Settle the Rule 8 transfers of the DR JEs and other employees.
13. Implement E1 pay scale for the Non-Executives, as has already been approved by the BSNL Management Committee.
14. Re-engage the retrenched contract workers.

BSNLEU has already launched the “Meet the Members” campaign, which is currently going on. Apart from this, some more agitations and conventions have also been decided by the CEC meeting of BSNLEU. Similarly, the AUAB has also decided action programme. For the benefit of the circle and district secretaries, CHQ is giving details about all the programmes that are going to take place in this month of September.

The erstwhile ETP / ETR ; NTP / NTR ; WTP / WTR and STP / STR circles have been merged and Core Network East, Core Network North, Core Network West and Core Network South circles have been formed. Consequently, erstwhile circle councils which were functioning in the Maintenance and Project Circles cannot continue to function. Circle Councils have to be formed for all the four Core Network Circles. However, the SR Branch of the Corporate Office has not yet issued letter for this. Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, met Ms. Anita Johri, Sr.GM(SR) yesterday and discussed this issue. The Sr.GM(SR) assured to take needful action in this connection. 

As has already been announced, BSNLEU is organising a Young Employees Convention on 19^th September, 2021. This will be an online convention and will start sharply at 10:00 am. Shri Arvind Vadnerkar, Director (HR) BSNL Board, has kindly consented to deliver the inaugural address of this convention. Com.P.Abhimanyu, General Secretary, BSNLEU, will deliver the key note address on, “the role of trade union in safeguarding the future of the young employees and the Company.” Com.Suresh Kumar, General Secretary, SNATTA, will deliver the special address. This will be followed by an interactive session by the participants in the convention. BSNLEU heartily welcomes all the young employees of BSNL to participate in this online convention. The link for this online convention will be sent shortly.

BSNLEU has launched a “Meet the Members” programme yesterday. This programme will go on up to 15^th September, 2021. According to the call, the “Meet the Members” programme is being organised in various parts of the country. The leaders of BSNLEU are meeting the employees and explaining about the anti-BSNL, anti-Public Sector and pro-corporate steps being taken by the government. The CHQ heartily congratulates those circle and district unions which have started the programme. The CHQ also calls upon the other circle and district unions to immediately start the programme.

जंतर मंतर पर आयोजित एयूएबी-AUAB का 3 दिवसीय धरना  कार्यक्रम दिल्ली में भारी बारिश के कारण स्थगित किया गया है ।

एयूएबी-AUAB ने 6 सितंबर, 2021 से जंतर मंतर में 3 दिवसीय धरना कार्यक्रम आयोजित करने का फैसला किया था। हालांकि, दिल्ली में भारी बारिस हो रही है। टाइम्स ऑफ इंडिया ने मेट्रोलॉजिकल विभाग के हवाले से अनुमान किया है की 6 सितंबर से भारी बारिश होगी और इसके बारे में चेतावनी दी है । इसके संदर्भ में  एयूएबी-AUAB ने  3 दिवसीय धरना कार्यक्रम को 2 सप्ताह तक स्थगित करने का फैसला किया है। धरना  कार्यक्रम अब 21 वीं, 22 वीं और 23 सितंबर, 2021 पर आयोजित किया जाएगा।

The AUAB has decided to organise a 3 day dharna programme at Jantar Mantar, from 6^th September, 2021 onwards. However, Delhi is witnessing heavy rainfall. Further, Times of India has quoted the Metrological Department and has cautioned heavy rainfall from 6^th September onwards. In view of this, the AUAB has decided to postpone the dharna programme by 2 weeks. The dharna programme will now be held on 21^st, 22^nd and 23^rd September, 2021.