The All India Convention of Central Public Sector Trade Unions is being held at New Delhi on 30.05.2018. The Convention is being called to oppose the disinvestment / privatisation moves of the government, to oppose the fixed term employment ordinance and demanding immediate settlement of wage revision of the Public Sector employees. The All India Centre meeting of BSNLEU, held today, has decided that all the circle secretaries of BSNLEU should participate in this Convention. Hence, CHQ requests the circle secretaries to attend the meeting without fail.

CHQ has already intimated that, the BSNL Welfare Board meeting would be held on 03.08.2018. CHQ has also requested the CEC members and other interested comrades to send items, to be taken up for discussion in the Welfare Board meeting. Since the time is running out, CHQ requests that, the items may please be submitted by 15.07.2018.

All Unions and Associations of BSNL, Jammu (J&K), organised a well attended meeting for the preparations of “indefinite strike by the BSNL Employees from December, 3rd, 2018. Com.Krishan Lal, Circle President, BSNLEU, presided over the meeting, Com. M.K Kaul, DS, BSNLEU, CGMT, office conducted the proceeding of the meeting. Com. Balbir Singh, President, BSNLEU, Anil Sharma, Circle Secretary, SNEA. Ravi Mukhi, Circle president, NFTE, Amrik Singh, Circle Secretary, AIGETOA and Com. Manjit Singh, DS, BSNLEU, Jammu, addressed the meeting. The leaders, told the participants that all the efforts and struggles to settle the burning issues of the BSNL, employees, have failed and hence the call for indefinite strike from 3^rd December,2018, demanding wage revision, etc., AUAB, Leaders also explained the latest developments taking place on the issues of workers including the meetings held with, CMD and Director (HR), BSNL. The leaders told that the BSNL has become the victim of anti public sector and pro-private sector policies, pursued aggressively by the Modi, Government. In fact, the govt. wants to finish off BSNL, to benefit the private Telecom Operators particularly the ‘Reliance Jio”. The leaders emphasized that the existence of BSNL, is necessary for the people of the country.  The meeting concluded with slogans to make the indefinite strike call a grand success.

A meeting between the AUAB and the BSNL Management was held today at 17:30 hrs. Shri Anupam Shrivastava, CMD BSNL, Ms. Sujata T. Ray, Director (HR & Finance) and Shri A.M. Gupta, GM (SR), were present. From the AUAB, Com.P.Abhimanyu, Convenor, Com.Chandeshwar Singh, Chairman, Com.K. Sebastin, GS, SNEA, Com.Prahlad Rai, GS, AIBSNLEA, Com.Pathak, AGS, AIGETOA, Com.Suresh Kumar, GS, BSNL MS, Com. H.P. Singh, Dy.GS, BSNLOA and Com.S. Sivakumar, President, AIBSNLEA, participated. The CMD BSNL explained the serious financial crisis being faced by the BSNL and appealed for the cooperation of the AUAB, for deferring payment of the salary for the month of February,2019. The AUAB representatives firmly rejected the request of the CMD BSNL. They told in one voice that payment of salary of the employees should not be deferred. Thereafter, the CMD BSNL said that the 3 day strike, called on by the AUAB from 18.02.2019 will be self-defeating, and appealed to call off the strike. The representatives of the AUAB rejected the appeal of the CMD BSNL and reaffirmed that the strike will take place at any cost. They told the Management that the repeated assurances given by the the Hon’ble Minister of State for Communications are not implemented by the DoT. The AUAB also told the CMD BSNL that, plenty of time is already given to the DoT, and that the strike will now take place successfully. The AUAB told the Management in categorical term that, there is no question of going back from the decision to go on strike.

BSNL को 4G स्पेक्ट्रम का आवंटन एक नीतिगत मामला है, जिसका निर्णय सरकार को लेना है- TRAI का वक्तव्य...
हाल ही में, DoT द्वारा BSNL को 4G स्पेक्ट्रम आवंटन का प्रकरण TRAI को प्रेषित किया गया था। DoT ने TRAI से BSNL को 4G स्पेक्ट्रम आवंटन हेतु अनुशंसा का अनुरोध किया था। अब ज्ञात हुआ है कि इस मुद्दे पर अनुशंसा करने से TRAI ने अपने हाथ खींच लिए है। TRAI ने कहा है कि स्पेक्ट्रम का एडमिनिस्ट्रेटिव एलोकेशन एक नीतिगत मामला है और इस पर सरकार ही निर्णय ले सकती है। अतः, गेंद अब सरकार के पाले में है। अब सरकार को निर्णय करना चाहिए कि क्या BSNL को 4G स्पेक्ट्रम आवंटित करना है या नही।

As has already been intimated, BSNLEU and BSNLCCWF have decided to organise massive dharnas at the Corporate Office and at all circle head quarters on 16.07.2019, demanding immediate payment of 6 months’ wage arrears to the contract workers and also demanding to stop the retrenchment of contract workers, based on Corporate Office order. All the circle secretaries are requested to organise the dharna effectively at their respective circle head quarters, by making the necessary coordination with the BSNLCCWF.

An election campaign meeting was organised by BSNLEU, Telecom Factory, Jabalpur, at Richai, on 05.09.2019. Com.Fayaz Ahmed, Secretary, Circle Council, presided over. Com Sunil Patel, Circle Secretary, welcomed all. Com. Prakash Sharma, AGS, addressed the meeting. Com.Prakash Sharma attacked on the failure of Management which has compelled the workers of Telecom Factory to remain on duty with no job. He also informed the gathering about intentions of snatching the land of all the seven telecom factories by the Govt. in the name of revival of BSNL. He assured the workers that BSNLEU will leave no stone unturned to protest the intentions of reducing the retirement age to 58 years. Meeting was also addressed by Com.B.S. Raghuwanshi, CP, BSNLEU, MP Circle, Com.Suryabhan Namdeo, CP, Telecom Factory and Com.Bhaskar Rao, District Secretary. Proceedings were conducted by Com.L.N.Tiwari. Before meeting at Richhai, Com.Prakash Sharma also addressed the well attended Gate Meeting at Right Town Factory, Jabalpur.

Two day Circle Executive Committee meeting of the BSNLEU, NE-I circle was held at Shillong on 15^th and 16^th November,2019. Com.D.A.Shylla, circle president, presided over the meeting. Com Shivjee Ray, circle secretary welcomed all and submitted a brief report on activities. The financial report was submitted by com Biswajit Singh,circle treasurer.Com Swapan Chakraborty,Dy.GS, inaugurated the meeting and dealt with in detail, the issues of 8th January,2020,General Strike, BSNL's Revival and VRS etc. He replied to the queries raised by the circle executive committee members on VRS. All district secretaries and circle office bearers also participated in the discussion.

1) Shri Santosh Nagesh, friend of Ms. Ayesha, d/o Com. Mehrunnisa Begum, SSS (Rtd.) CGMT office - Rs.5,000/-

2) Smt. Monica, d/o Com. S. Murali, circle treasurer, BSNLEU, Karnataka - Rs.3,500/-

3) Com. D.D. Shanwad, ACS, AIBDPA - Rs.1,500/-

4) Com. D. S. Balakkanavar, TT (Retd.), Belgaavi SSA - Rs.1,000/-

5) Com. Rajalakshmi Balasubrasubramanyam SSS(Rtd.), CGMT office - Rs.1,000/-

6) Com.M.S. Kambar, JE (Rtd.), Kalburgi - Rs.1000/-

The Corporate Office has given the Fund Authorisation to the circles, for the payment of the July salary. Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, spoke to Shri P.C.Bhat, Senior GM(CBB) today, regarding payment of July salary. The Sr.GM(CBB) stated that Fund Authorisation has already been sent to the circles.

Leaders of BSNL unions and associations, submitted memorandum to Hon'ble MPs shri S.J. Anang Udaya Singhdeo and smt. P. Rajeswari Singh Kandhamal, Odisha circle.

The two day circle conference of Himachal Pradesh circle, started at Shimla today. The Conference got kick-started with the hoisting of the Union flag by Com. Balbir Singh, President. Com.K.C.Panwar, district secretary, Shimla, welcomed every one. A presidium, consisting of Com.Balbir Singh, President and Com. R.S.Chauhan, Vice-President, presided over the Conference. Com.Prem Gautam, General Secretary, CITU, Himachal Pradesh, greeted the Conference. Members of the Presidium briefly addressed. Thereafter, Com.P.Abhimanyu,GS, addressed the Conference and explained about various current issues. He fervently called upon the delegates to make the struggle of the All Unions and Associations of BSNL a total success, for the settlement of Wage Revision, rolling back of the Subsidiary Tower Company, stopping the reduction of the retirement age from 60 to 58, etc. He also touched upon certain unhealthy trends in our union in Himachal Circle, and appealed for taking the necessary corrective steps. After lunch, the delegates session started, and is going on.

The meeting called on by the Management to discuss the issue of curtailment of wasteful expenditures, is held today. Representatives of BSNLEU, NFTE, SNEA, AIBSNLEA, FNTO, BSNL ATM and BSNL OA participated. From the Management Side, Shri A M.Gupta,GM(SR) and Shri Y.N.Singh, GM(BFCI) participated. Com. P. Abhimanyu, GS and Com. Swapan Chakraborty, Dy.GS, represented BSNLEU. Representatives of BSNLEU presented the note on curtailment of wasteful expenditure, that has already been submitted to the CMD BSNL. In the meeting BSNLEU strongly demanded that the existing medical facilities of the employees should not be curtailed, in the name of curtailing expenditure. It’s representatives also pointed out that the retrenchment of contract workers will affect restoration of faults and will also affect the companies marketing activities. The Management assured that the suggestions given by BSNLEU, in it’s note submitted to the Management, would be looked into. 

Some mischievous elements are trying to confuse the workers by spreading rumours that the recognised unions are trying to finalise Wage settlement with less than 15% fitment. We know that these mischievous elements are trying to get some cheap publicity for themselves, by spreading such rumours. Still, it is our duty to tell the workers that both the recognised unions are determined to get 15% fitment in the wage revision. Both the recognised unions will not sign any agreement with less than 15% fitment. All the employees who were on service as on 01-01-2017, will get 15% fitment.

At the same time, pay scales are different. Whatever formula, the 3rd PRC has adopted to determine the minimum of the Executive pay scales, will also be made applicable, for the Non-Executive pay scales. Confusing the fitment formula, with the formula adopted to create the pay scales, only shows the ignorance and hollowness of these mischievous elements.

After the 2nd Wage Revision settled by BSNLEU, BSNL employees were drawing higher salary than the bank employees. This is an undeniable fact. BSNLEU organised a two day nation wide strike to achieve that wage settlement. But, in that strike, FNTO stabbed on the back of the employees. It wrote letter to the Management saying that, the union was not participating in that strike. Employees have not forgotten all these facts.

This lunch hour meeting was addressed by Com P.Asokababu, Vice President, BSNLEU (CHQ), Com.Kamaraj, Secretary, NFTE, Com C.K.Gundanna Convener Circle AUAB & CS BSNLEU, Com. Hiremath, CS, AIBSNLEA on 30th November 2018.  The meeting was enthusiastic and resolved to make the indefinite strike from 3.12.2018 a grand success. In the evening a largely attended meeting was held at PGM BTD Office, attended by 250 comrades. Com.H.V.Sudharshan, Convenor, AUAB and Organising Secretary (CHQ) BSNLEU welcomed all and briefed about the Indefinite Strike. Com P.Asokababu Vice President BSNLEU, Com Kamaraj, Secretary, NFTE, Com Hiremath CS AIBSNLEA, Com Murali SNEA,Com C.K.Gundanna  Convener Circle AUAB & CS BSNLEU addressed the meeting. The leaders explained the necessity of the indefinite strike and campaigning among the people by organizing street corner meetings etc., for achieving our demands and for saving BSNL.

In yesterday’s meeting between the AUAB and BSNL Management, leaders of the AUAB enquired about the status of 3rd Pay Revision, which is lying pending with the DoT presently. From the reply given by the Management, it is understood that, the DoT is not prepared to consider 3rd Pay Revision even with 0% fitment. It only reveals the anti-BSNL and anti-employee mindset of the DoT. Hence, we are left with no other option but to organise the strike massively..

BSNLEU pays it's respectful homage to Dr.B.R.Ambedkar, on the occasion of his 128th birth anniversary. He was the architect of the Indian Constitution, as well as one of the greatest crusaders against social discrimination that the world has seen. We pledge to tread on the path shown by him, to end social discriminations.

Despite the severe financial crunch being faced by BSNL, and despite not having 4G technology, BSNL continues to increase it’s mobile connections month after month. In June, 2019, BSNL has added 15,21,319 mobile connections. BSNLEU heartily congratulates all the officers and employees for this achievement. Chennai circle deserves special appreciation since it has achieved 249% of it’s target. Similarly, J&K circle has achieved 114% of it’s target. Our hearty congrats to both these circles.

An election campaign meeting at Rewari was arranged by the district union of BSNLEU on 08-09-2019. Most of the Non-Executives were present. The meeting was presided over by Com.Rajender Bhalkhi, District President. Com.Ramesh Chand Sharma,Organising Secretary(CHQ) & District Secretary, gave introductory speech and briefed about present issues on BSNL and also the achievements of BSNLEU. Com.Swapan Chakraborty, Dy.GS, detailed on present financial crisis of BSNL and struggles of the AUAB and the union. Com.Vipin Soni, DR JE, and ADS of the union also addressed.

Circle Executive Committee Meeting of BSNLEU, MP Circle was organised at Bhopal on 17.11.2019. In the beginning, floral tributes were paid to Late Com S R Naik. Com.B.S. Raghuwanshi, Circle President, presided over and delivered welcome speech. Com.Prakash Sharma, Circle Secretary presented the report on activities. As CHQ representative, Com.Prakash Sharma, AGS, addressed the meeting and explained in detail about the decisions taken in Ghaziabad CEC, pros and cons of VRS, other issues included in revival package and 3 days relay fast. He also spoke on post VRS scenario in absence of roadmap for smooth functioning and upkeep of services. Necessity of joining 08.01.2020 general strike was also discussed. Meeting decided to start campaign for awareness of issues included in agenda of general strike. Total 19 comrades spoke in the meeting. Veteran Com.S.C. Shrivastav felicitated Com.Prakash Sharma, AGS with shawl, srifal and memento. Vote of thanks was delivered by Com.H.S.Thakur, ACS.