The All India Centre of BSNLEU has decided to organise a Facebook live address by Com.Tapan Sen, General Secretary, CITU, to explain to the employees about the necessity to go on the General Strike on 26^th November, 2020, as well as about the demands of the Central Trade Unions for this General Strike. This live address will take place at 6:00 pm on 28.10.2020. 

Com.Tapan Sen, will make this live address on the Facebook account of BSNLEU. The Facebook account of BSNLEU is Bsnleu Chq New Delhi. Com.Tapan Sen will deliver his speech in English. The circle and district secretaries are requested to kindly make note of this and to take all out efforts to ensure that, maximum number comrades view the Facebook live address by Com.Tapan Sen.

The Tamil Nadu Telecom Contract Workers Union (TNTCWU) had filed a case in the Hon’ble Madras High Court, praying for a court order, for the payment of the wage arrears of the contract workers. The Hon’ble Madras High Court has delivered the judgement on 13.08.2020. The salient features of this judgement is:-

1. The Regional Labour Commissioner, Chennai, should open a bank account in the name of “Contract Workers Wage Due W.P.Nos.34513 & 34570 of 2019.”
2. The BSNL Management should pay 25% of the wage arrears of the contract workers before 31.10.2020, into this bank account.
3. The remaining 25% wage arrears should be paid into this bank account before 20.11.2020.
4. The last 50% of the wage arrears should be paid into this bank account before 20.12.2020.

It is important to note that, the Hon’ble Madras High Court does not believe the BSNL Management and the contractors. Hence, it has directed payment of wage arrears to the contract workers, through the Regional Labour Commissioner. The CHQ of BSNLEU heartily congratulates the TNTCWU. The CHQ also appreciates, BSNLEU, Tamil Nadu circle union, for it’s staunch and unwavering support for the settlement of contract workers' issues.

CHQ has already given a call for collection of WFTU fund, to be collected from members, at the rate of Rs.20/ per member. Circle unions have started sending the fund now. 

Once again it is requested that the amount should be remitted into the CHQ Bank account, the details of which are already sent to the circle secretaries. The amount remitted into the CHQ account may kindly be informed to the General Secretary through WhatsApp.

 So far, CHQ has received the following amount as WFTU fund.

(1)   Odisha             – Rs.5,180/- on 19.10.2020.

(2)   Tamil Nadu     – Rs.20,000/- on 20.10.2020.

(3)   Karnataka       – Rs.23,140/- on 20.10.2020.

At a time when massive attacks are being launched on the Public Sector of the country, as well as on workers rights, trade union rights and democratic rights, a General Strike has been called on by the Central Trade Unions, against these attacks. In every possible manner, the demands, as well as the issues involved in this General Strike, have to be campaigned in a big way among the employees, to organise the strike successfully. The All India Centre meeting of BSNLEU, held yesterday the 18.10.2020 has decided to organise a Facebook live programme to be addressed by Com.Tapan Sen, General Secretary, CITU. Com.Tapan Sen also has kindly consented for participating in this programme. Date of this Facebook live programme will be announced shortly. All the circle unions are requested to ensure that maximum comrades view this Facebook live programme.

The Central Trade Unions have given call for organising a General Strike on 26.11.2020. BSNLEU is taking steps, for organising this General Strike jointly in BSNL. Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, has already approached the leaders of the like-minded Unions. The response is encouraging and a joint online meeting of the like-minded Unions will be organised shortly to discuss about a joint campaign, to organise the General Strike.

The CHQ has already informed that a meeting of the Central Executive Committee would be held online on 02.11.2020. The notification for the meeting is issued today. All the CEC members are requested to kindly attend the meeting without fail.

Salary for the month of September, 2020, has already been disbursed. The CHQ has already given a call to collect Rs.20/- from each member, as donation to the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU). The circle unions are requested to immediately gear up their district secretaries to ensure collection of this donation.

The lockdown imposed on 25^th March, 2020 and the restrictions imposed thereafter, have greatly affected the day to day  functioning of the trade unions in BSNL.  The functioning of Local, Circle and National councils are also affected by the COVID-19 pandemic situation. Still, the district union of BSNLEU, Jammu, has taken the initiative to hold the local council meeting for the settlement of the issues of the employees. The local council meeting of Jammu has been held today and the issues have been discussed. CHQ of BSNLEU heartily congratulates the Jammu district union of BSNLEU and Com, Manjeet Singh Reen, district secretary, for taking this initiative. 

The CHQ of BSNLEU is extremely saddened to inform that Com.S.A. Tendulkar, former Circle Secretary of BSNLEU, Mumbai Telecom Factory, as well as CHQ office bearer, has passed away today. He had been suffering from COVID-19 and had been admitted in Scion Hospital, Mumbai. Com.Tenduklar was 66 years old.

His contributions for the growth of BSNLEU, in Telecom Factory, Mumbai is very significant. He was elected as Vice President of the CHQ, in the foundation conference of BSNLEU, held at Visakhapatnam. Later on, he also served as the Organising Secretary of the CHQ. BSNLEU dips it’s banner and pays it’s respectful homage to Com.S.A. Tendulkar and conveys it’s heartfelt condolences to the family members, relatives and friends of the late leader. CHQ is informed that Com.S.A. Tendulkar’s wife is also admitted in the same hospital, for treatment for COVID-19. CHQ wishes her speedy recovery and good health.

कॉर्पोरेट ऑफिस द्वारा सितंबर 2020 के वेतन भुगतान हेतु सर्कल्स को फंड्स प्रेषित.

23 अक्टूबर, 2020 से शुरू होने वाले पूजा त्यौंहार के मद्दे नजर BSNLEU द्वारा CMD BSNL से लिखित में मांग की गई थी कि माह सितंबर, 2020 के वेतन का भुगतान शीघ्र किया जाना चाहिए। हम हर्ष के साथ सूचित कर रहे हैं कि कॉर्पोरेट ऑफिस द्वारा सितंबर 2020 के वेतन भुगतान हेतु सर्कल्स को फंड्स प्रेषित कर दिए गए हैं।

नेशनल कौंसिल की मीटिंग स्थगित क्यों की गई ? दुर्भावनापूर्ण प्रचार का जवाब.

07.10.2020 को ऑनलाईन होने वाली नेशनल कौंसिल की 39वीं मीटिंग BSNL मैनेजमेंट द्वारा निर्मित अनावश्यक समस्या की वजह से नही हो पाई। बहरहाल, कुछ व्यक्तियों द्वारा इसका भी  BSNLEU पर हमला करने के लिए उपयोग किया जा रहा है। BSNLEU की छवि खराब करने के लिए व्हाट्सएप्प मैसेजेस भेजे जा रहे हैं। उनके द्वारा किए जाए रहे दुष्प्रचार और BSNLEU द्वारा उसका प्रत्युत्तर निम्नानुसार है।

(1) दुष्प्रचार:- नेशनल कौंसिल की मीटिंग केवल महासचिव, BSNLEU की वजह से नही हो पाई। फलस्वरूप कर्मचारियों की ज्वलंत समस्याओं पर चर्चा नही हो सकी। 

प्रत्युत्तर:- इस COVID-19 महामारी की स्थिति के दौरान अन्य कोई, नेशनल कौंसिल मीटिंग करने बाबद सोच भी नही सकता, यह केवल BSNLEU ही थी जिसने नेशनल कौंसिल मीटिंग ऑनलाइन किए जाने की मांग की। इस संबंध में  पत्र क्रमांक BSNLEU/204(NC) dated 03.08.2020 द्वारा BSNLEU ने डायरेक्टर (HR) को लिखा। यह केवल BSNLEU के महासचिव ही थे, जो निरंतर रूप से   डायरेक्टर (HR) और  Sr.GM(SR) से चर्चारत रहे और उन्हें ऑनलाइन नेशनल कौंसिल मीटिंग कराने हेतु सहमत कराया। यह सारे प्रयास BSNLEU द्वारा कर्मचारियों के मुद्दों पर चर्चा करने हेतु ही किए गए। अतः, BSNLEU को आरोपित करने के प्रयासों को और कुछ नही, केवल  हास्यास्पद और अवसरवादिता ही कहा जा सकता है। 

(2) दुष्प्रचार:- कॉम पी अभिमन्यु, महासचिव, BSNLEU को एक विशेष एसोसिएशन के लीडर नेशनल कौंसिल मेंबर के रूप में स्वीकार्य नही है। 

प्रत्युत्तर:- यह पूर्णतः दुर्भावनापूर्ण प्रचार है।BSNLEU द्वारा मैनेजमेंट को लिख कर दिया गया है कि वह नेशनल कौंसिल में किसी के भी नॉमिनेशन का विरोध नही कर रही है।  BSNLEU की मांग केवल यह है कि जब  NFTE को एक नॉन मेंबर को नेशनल कौंसिल में नॉमिनेशन का अधिकार दिया गया है, तो यह  अधिकार BSNLEU को भी दिया जाना चाहिए। अन्यथा यह पक्षपात होगा, जिसे कदापि स्वीकार नहीं किया जा सकता है।   

The WFTU has completed 75 years of it’s militant existence. On this occasion, Com.George Mavrikos, General Secretary, WFTU, addressed the Trade Union leaders of India yesterday. He spoke for 50 minutes and dealt with many important issues. The following are the important points.

• I recognise the role of Indian trade unions and their class oriented movement. Indian trade unions are strong, politically and ideologically.

• I appreciate the Indian trade unions for organising militant struggles against the Neo-Liberal Policies.

• 250 million workers (25 crore) participated in the General Strike held in India in January, 2020. The recent strikes that have taken place in the Defence, Coal and Petroleum sectors are praiseworthy.

• The demands of the strike being organised by Indian trade unions on 26^th November, 2020, are very crucial. WFTU is with you in this struggle. We will organise solidary action throughout the world, in favour of this strike.

• The struggles taking place in India, strengthen the fight against exploitation taking place in other countries also.

• WFTU is having 105 million (10.5 crore) membership of workers in 130 countries. It is having 11 Trade Union Internationals (TUIs) representing workers of different sectors.

• Biggest membership of WFTU family is from India. Out of the total 7 Secretariat Members of the WFTU, two are from India.

• The WFTU is fighting against the multinational corporates, which are exploiting the workers throughout the world . The WFTU is also raising it’s voice against the imperialist interventions in Korea, Cuba, Latin American Countries, the Middle-East, etc.

• More than 38 million (3.8 crore) people are affected by the Corona Virus Disease, throughout the world. More than one million (10 lakh) people have already died. Most of the people who have died are the poor. This is the ugly face of capitalism. Even in death, capitalism is unfair.

• While the poor and workers are suffering in this Covid-19 pandemic situation, the wealth of the corporates has increased by 27%.

• More funds should be allotted to strengthen the Public Health Services. To do this, the military expenditure should be minimised.

• WFTU demands that, a fast and safe vaccine for COVID-19 should be made available free of cost to all the people.

• Donald Trump acts in front of the camera, but the poor people in the United States are suffering.

• At the same time, Cuba, which is a small socialist country, has helped more than 45 countries, by sending their doctors and medicines.

• Socialism gives humanity to the world, while imperialism only gives cruelty.     

• Next Congress of the WFTU, which will be the 18th Congress, will be held in Vietnam in 2021.

• WFTU is a poor  union, but rich in ideology. WFTU’s financial position is bad. It needs financial help from workers. We should strengthen our trade unions and we should strengthen the WFTU.

BSNLEU has already written to the CMD BSNL, demanding that the salary for the month of September, 2020, should immediately be paid, in view of the Puja festival commencing on 23rd October, 2020. We are glad to inform that, the Corporate Office has sent funds to the circles, for the payment of September salary.

The 39^th meeting of the National Council, to be held online on 07.10.2020, could not be conducted, because of the unwanted problem created by the BSNL Management. However, this is being utilised by some people to attack BSNLEU. WhatsApp messages are being sent to tarnish the image of BSNLEU. The propaganda being made by them and BSNLEU’s reply are as follows:-

(1)    Propaganda:- It is only of the General Secretary, BSNLEU, the National Council meeting could not be held. As a result, burning problems of the employees could not be discussed.

Reply:- During this COVID-19 pandemic situation, when others did not even think about the holding of the National Council meeting, it was BSNLEU, which demanded that the National Council meeting should be held online. Vide letter number BSNLEU/204(NC) dated 03.08.2020, BSNLEU wrote to the Director (HR) in this regard. It was only the General Secretary, BSNLEU, who continuously talked to the Director (HR) and the Sr.GM(SR)and made them to agree for holding the NC meeting online. All these efforts are taken by BSNLEU, only to make the Management to discuss the staff issues. Hence, blaming BSNLEU is nothing but, ridiculous and opportunistic. 

(2)   Propaganda:- Com.P.Abhimanyu, General Secretary, BSNLEU could not accept the leader of one particular Association, as a member of the National Council.

Reply:- This is a totally mischievous propaganda. BSNLEU has given in writing to the Management that, it is not opposing anybody’s nomination to the National Council. What BSNLEU’s demands is, when NFTE is given the right to nominate a non-member to the National Council, the same right should be given to BSNLEU also. Otherwise, it will be a discrimination, which cannot be accepted.  

The CHQ has prepared the pamphlet material, for the campaign and strike to be organised by BSNLEU. It will be printed in English and Hindi and will be despatched to the circle unions. At the same time, the circle unions of the non-Hindi speaking circles of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Chennai, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Punjab, West Bengal, Kolkata, Assam and Odisha are requested to translate the matter and to locally print the pamphlets in their regional languages. CHQ requests the circle unions to ensure that these pamphlets reach the hands of all the Executives and Non-Executives.

Com. George Mavricos, General Secretary of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) is making an address to the leaders of the Indian trade unions affiliated to the WFTU, at 14:00 hrs. tomorrow the 14-10-2020. General Secretary BSNLEU has also been invited for this address. 

The Head Quarters of the WFTU is making arrangement for this address to be viewed live on the Facebook also, so that a large number of comrades can also be benefited from the speech. This is a very good opportunity and it should be utilised to the maximum. Hence, CHQ requests the circle secretaries and CHQ office bearers to ensure that maximum number of comrades of BSNLEU view this speech. The link for the speech is given below:-

https://www.facebook.com/GeorgeMavrikosWFTU

BSNLEU organised a convention at Alipore Telecom Factory, Kolkata, on 09.10.2020, against privatisation of the public sector undertakings and against the retrenchment of contract workers. It was organised under the banner of BSNL Coordination Committee. Com.Sisir Kumar Roy, CS, Kolkata, presided over. The Convention was addressed by Com.Debanjan Chakraborty, Secretary, CITU, Com.Animesh Mitra, President, BSNLEU, Com. Alok Nandi, INTUC, Com.Pradeep Gupta, 12^th July Committee, Com.Atanu Chakraborty, AICCTU, Com.Tapas Das Chowdhury, UTUC, Com.Ashoke Guha, ERMU, Com.Prabir Banerjee, TUCC, Com.Janardan Majumder, CGCC and Com.Om Prakash Singh, BSNLEU.

The CHQ has today released the e-copy of Tele-Crusader for the months of August, September and October. It carries useful articles and information. The circle secretaries are requested to kindly ensure that this e-copy of Tele-Crusader reaches all the members. BSNL Swar, which is BSNLEU's Hindi magazine, will  be released shortly.