Utilising the General Secretary's private visit to Bangalore, the Bangalore Telecom District union organised an effective active workers meeting in the Union Office at the CTO compound, Bangalore. Even though the meeting was organised only at a few hours notice, more than 100 office bearers and active workers attended the meeting and listened to the General Secretary with rapt attention. Com.Kempe Gowda, district president, BGTD, presided over the meeting. Com.H.V.Sudharshan, Organising Secretary (CHQ) & District Secretary, BGTD welcomed everyone. Com.C.K.Gundanna, circle secretary, addressed the meeting and explained about the impact of the recently held two day strike in Karnataka circle. Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, addressed the meeting and spoke elaborately about the wage revision, Subsidiary Tower Company, reduction of retirement age from 60 to 58, merger of BSNL and MTNL, and more importantly about future struggle. He told that the wage cut being imposed by the Management cannot deter the employees from going into more serious forms of struggles. Further, the General Secretary emphatically declared that the New Year 2018 will be prosperous for BSNL employees, and that wage revision will surely be settled in the New Year. The meeting came on end with emotional slogan shouting by the comrades.

Tamil Nadu circle organised a state level trade union class for the contract workers at Nagercoil today. TNTCWU and BSNLEU jointly organised it. 135 students participated in the class from all the districts of Tamil Nadu circle. Com.M.Murugaiah, President,TNTCWU, presided. Com.Vinod Kumar, General Secretary, TNTCWU, welcomed. Com.S,Chellappa, AGS, BSNLEU and Com.Babu Radhakrishnan, circle secretary, BSNLEU, briefly addressed about the recently conducted circle level struggles and developments on the issues of the contract workers. This was followed by the trade union class, conducted by Com.P.Abhimanyu,GS, on the topic “ Experiences of the past and the tasks for the future.” At the end questions raised by the students were replied by Com. P.Abhimanyu, GS and Com.S.Chellappa, AGS. The class evoked very good response from the students. BSNLEU and TNTCWU district unions, Nagercoil, had made excellent arrangements for the class.

The AUAB meeting held today at New Delhi, reviewed the struggles being conducted against the formation of Subsidiary Tower Company. After detailed discussions, the meeting has decided to conduct street corner meetings throughout the country from 07^th to 11^th May, 2018. Circle and district secretaries of BSNLEU are requested to coordinate with the other constituents of the AUAB and to organise the programme very effectively to mobilise the opinion of the general public against the attempts of the government to break BSNL to pieces, by forming the Subsidiary Tower Company. These street corner meetings should be conducted in all places where the public gather, like railway stations, bus stands, market places, etc. Flex banners and placards should be displayed prominently, with wordings against the formation of Subsidiary Tower Company, during these meetings.

Com. P. Abhimanyu, GS and Com. Swapan Chakraborty, Dy. GS, met Shri Saurabh Tyagi, GM (Estt.) today and discussed the following outstanding issues.

1. Issue of those Sr. TOAs reverted from 7100 to 6550 pay scale.

This issue had already been discussed with the Director (HR) and the GM (Estt.) a number of times. However, settlement of this issue has already been rejected by the Management. Under these circumstances, suggestion has come to the CHQ, from some of the affected Sr. TOAs. They have stated that they are prepared to forego any arrears that will accrue, due to the settlement of this problem. The GM (Estt.) was requested to consider settlement of the problem, with this condition. He assured to look into.

2. One time relaxation in the qualification for appearing TT LDCE.

This issue was also discussed with the Management a number of times, but was rejected. In today’s meeting, the GM (Estt.) was once again requested to consider the demand, to help the candidates of backward circles like Assam and the North East, where vacancies are existing, but qualified officials are not available. The GM (Estt.) agreed to revisit the issue.  

3. Endorsement of government orders on Child Care Leave, by BSNL.

From time to time, the government of India is issuing various modifications / guidelines to the Child Care Leave. But, these government orders are not being endorsed by BSNL promptly. BSNLEU has already taken up this issue with the Management. In today’s meeting, with the GM (Estt.), BSNLEU once again raised the issue. After discussion the GM (Estt.) agreed to issue an instruction that all government orders on Child Care Leave, should be suo moto followed in BSNL.

The CHQ BSNLEU informs with deep sorrow and grief that, Com.R.S.Yadav, a veteran leader of our movement, has passed away yesterday, at Lucknow. He was the circle secretary of the E3 union (AITEU CLIII) of the undivided Uttar Pradesh circle, consisting of UP(West), UP(East) and Uttarakhand circles for long years. He worked shoulder to shoulder with Com.K.G.Bose and other senior leaders of our movement. Com.R.S.Yadav selflessly dedicated his entire life for strengthening the trade union movement, with the correct working class orientation. The CHQ of BSNLEU dips it's banner and pays it's respectful homage to the departed leader. It also conveys it's heartfelt condolences to his family members, friends and relatives.

The All Unions and Associations of BSNL (AUAB), Karnataka circle, have presented a memorandum to Shri Manoj Sinha, Hon’ble Minister of State for Communications at Bengaluru yesterday. The Hon’ble MoS(C) was in Bengaluru yesterday, to inaugurate the DoT IT Cell. Utilising this opportunity, the AUAB leaders of Karnataka circle met the Hon’ble Minister and presented a copy of the memorandum, which was already submitted to the Private Secretary of the Hon’ble MoS(C), at New Delhi on 14.11.2018. In the memorandum, the AUAB has demanded settlement of the 3^rd pay revision, allotment of 4G spectrum, settlement of pension revision w.e.f. 01.01.2017, payment of pension contribution by BSNL as per government rule and settlement of the left out issues of the 2^nd PRC.

A crucial meeting of the AUAB was held today. All the constituents of the AUAB attended. In depth discussions were held, regarding the steps to be taken to get immediate financial relief to BSNL, as well as getting financial assistance for the long term network expansions and improvement of the quality of BSNL's services. A detailed circular of the AUAB will be uploaded tomorrow.

BSNLEU, Odisha circle, conducted an extended Circle Executive Committee meeting at Bhubaneswar on 28.08.2019. All  the district and Branch Secretaries participated in the meeting. Com.S.C. Bhattacharya, CP, presided. Com. S R Das, CS, initiated the proceedings. Com. Sisir Kumar Roy, Org Secy, CHQ, explained the present situation specially financial crunch in BSNL and the role of BSNLEU to fight against the policy of the Government. He also explained the proposed revival plan of BSNL, VRS/CRS, Reduction of retirement age,   land monetization, allotment of 4G, pension contribution on actual basic pay according to the government rule, predatory pricing of Jio, soft loans for capital infusion in BSNL from Government. He also explained the Role of the AUAB, 3rd wage revision, pension revision w.e.f. 1st January, 2017, and our achievements after the last membership verification. Com. A Dhupal, veteran leader also addressed this meeting. Com. N.C. Kar, VP, gave vote of thanks.

1) Com.Md.Yasin, Retd JE, Ongole – Rs.2,000/-

2) Com. A.S.R.Murthy, TT (Retd) Nuziveedu, Krishna SSA – Rs.2,000/-

3) Com. P.Nagi Reddy TT (VRS Retd) & BS, Machavaram, Vijayawada, Krishna SSA – Rs.1,234/-

4) Com. Bh.Ramakrishna TT, Tiruvuru, Krishna SSA  – Rs.1,111/-

5) Com S.Ramachandra Prasad JE (Retd-VRS) Vijayawada, Krishna SSA – Rs.1,001/-

6) Com Ch.Apparao Rao JE-( Retd-VRS),Vijayawada, (Krishna SSA) – Rs.1,000/-

7) Com. A.Guravaiah JE (VRS retd), Branch Secretary,  Mylavaram (Krishna SSA) – Rs.1,000/-

8) Com. M.Chandrakala, CSS (VRS Retd), Vijayawada, Krishna SSA – Rs.1,000/-

9) Com.R.Venkata Reddy, TT(Retd-VRS)  Jaggaiahpeta, Krishna SSA – Rs.1,000/-

10) Com T.Gangadhara Rao TT (VRS retd), Vijayawada, Krishna SSA – Rs.1,000/-

11) Com Ch.SubbaRaju , TT (VRS Retd)  BS SDOP-II Branch Vijayawada, Krishna SSA – Rs.1,000/-

The major trade unions of the 82,000 ordnance factory employees have started preparing for an indefinite strike, against the proposed corporatisation of the Ordnance Factories Board. 41 Ordnance Factories across the country are coming under the control of this Ordnance Factories Board. The government has decided to corporatise the Ordnance Factories Board and to list it in the share market. It is needless to state that the corporatisation of the Ordnance Factories Board is the major step towards it’s privatisation. Against this move, the major federations have decided to hold strike ballot in all the factories between June, 8 and June, 17. The Federations will issue an indefinite strike notice after the strike ballot is completed. It is important to note that a few months back, the ordnance workers launched a 30 day strike against the privatisation of the ordnance factories. The strike was withdrawn after the government held talks with the Federations and gave assurance.

The All Unions and Associations of BSNL has decided an All India tour programme, to organise the 2 day strike to be held in December, 2017. The All India Centre meeting of BSNLEU held yesterday, has decided the places to be addressed by the CHQ leaders, which is as follows:-

Com. P. Abhimanyu, General Secretary                                     -   Lucknow, Patna, Pune, Ahmedabad, Jaipur 

Com. Balbir Singh, President                                                     -   Ludhiana, Bhopal     

Com. Swapan Chakraborty, Dy. General Secretary                    -   Kolkata & Guwahati

Com. P. Asokababu, Vice President                                           -  Hyderabad & Bengaluru                                               

Com.Animesh Mitra, Vice President                                           - Bhubaneswar

Com. S. Chellappa, Asst. General Secretary                              -  Chennai

The CEC meeting of BSNLEU, held recently at Agartala, has decided to conduct Young Workers Convention in all circles. The idea of conducting such a convention is to educate the young workers of BSNL about the trade union movement and also to bring them into active trade union life. This issue was discussed in the Circle Executive Committee meeting of Punjab, held at Chandigarh yesterday. It is decided in yesterday’s meeting, to implement the decision of the Agartala CEC meeting. Accordingly, decision is taken to organise a massive Young Workers Convention at Ludhiana on 27^th May, 2018.

The issue of BSNL’s buildings and office spaces being taken over by the DoT, is already taken up by BSNLEU, with the CMD BSNL. In continuation of this, com. P. Abhimanyu, GS and com. Swapan Chakraborty, Dy. GS, met Shri H.C. Pant, Company Secretary today, and discussed the issue. The legal position on this issue was explained by the Company Secretary. Necessary inputs were also taken. BSNLEU will now take up this issue with the higher level of the government.

The 8th Membership Verification campaign meeting was held at the GM office premises, Guntur, today, the 30.08.2019. Com. M.Subba Rao, District President, presided over. Com. P. Suresh,District Secretary, welcomed everyone. The meeting was addressed by Com. J. Sampath Rao, AGS & CS,Telangana Circle, Com. P Asoka Babu, Circle Secretary A.P. Circle, Com. K Rama Devi, All India Vice President, K Prabhakara Rao, Circle President and Com. L Ramesh Babu, ACS, AP Circle. The leaders addressed the meeting and explained about 8th membership verification, the financial revival of BSNL, Wage revision, Pension revision, Land monetisation, VRS, 58 years, Casual Contract labour issues and Role of BSNLEU in the struggles of AUAB and our achievements during the last 3 year etc., a large number of comrades especially women employees from Guntur District participated in this meeting. Finally the leaders appealed all to vote enmasse for BSNLEU.

Consequent to the decision taken by the Cabinet on 23.10.2019, to implement VRS in BSNL and MTNL, the DoT has constituted a committee, for finalising general conditions, rules and by-laws for the Voluntarily Retirement Scheme. Apart from officers of the DoT, the Director (HR) of BSNL and the Director (HR) of MTNL are also members of the Committee. It has been also decided that the Committee should submit it’s report by 30th October, 2019 itself.