General Secretary, BSNLEU, discusses certain important issues with the CMD BSNL..

Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, had a detailed discussion with Shri P.K. Purwar, CMD BSNL today, on certain important issues. The meeting lasted for one hour and twenty minutes. Details of the issues discussed are given blow: -

1. Gag orders against holding hunger strike, dharna, etc., in BSNL.

The General Secretary pointed out that, of late, the BSNL Corporate Office is issuing instruction after instruction to the CGMs, for taking steps to stop even peaceful protest actions like, hunger strike, dharna, etc. He also complained to the CMD BSNL that, it appears that, the Management is adopting a “Divide and Rule Policy” for breaking the unity of the unions and associations in BSNL. The CMD BSNL replied that, the Management is not adopting any such policy. As regards, the complaint on instructions issued against hunger strike, dharna, etc., the CMD BSNL assured that the matter would be looked into.

2. Wage Revision.

The General Secretary strongly disapproved the stoppage of the Wage Negotiations of the Non-Executives. He pointed out that the Joint Wage Negotiation Committee was formed as per the direction issued by the DoT. He also stated that the stoppage of Wage Negotiations amounts to violation of the direction given by the DoT. He strongly demanded that the Wage Negotiations should resume immediately. The CMD BSNL assured to look into it.

3. Holding LICEs.

The General Secretary expressed his deep concern over the non-holding of various LICEs especially the JTO LICE. He also pointed out that non-holding of LICEs for the Non-Executives and implementing promotions for the Executives, is tantamount to discrimination. The CMD BSNL replied that it will take at least 4 more months to complete the process of restructuring (ascertaining the number of posts). In that case, the General Secretary demanded that the process for holding the JTO LICE should be started immediately. The CMD BSNL agreed to this.

4. Outsourcing through the SLA system.

The General Secretary pointed out that the outsourcing of works through the SLA system is a total failure and it is draining the company’s money. He demanded a thorough review of the system. The CMD BSNL admitted that there are certain short comings in the system, but asserted that the same could be overcome.  

5. Contract Workers.

The General Secretary expressed his disapproval for the large scale retrenchment of the contract workers, and that too after the retirement of 80,000 employees under the VRS. He demanded that the Management should not make any more retrenchment of the contract workers and should immediately make payment of their wage arrears. The CMD BSNL assured that the matter would be looked into.