Why the strike is deferred?

As has already been intimated, the indefinite strike from 03.12.2018 has been deferred. The strike call has compelled the Hon’ble Minister of State for Communications to hold talks with the representatives of the AUAB and to settle the issues. Undoubtedly, the strike call has resolved many major demands of the AUAB, which are as follows:-

1. Allotment of 4G spectrum.

The non-allotment of 4G spectrum to BSNL has been a major handicap for BSNL. The assurance given by the Hon’ble MoS(C) in this regard in February, 2018, was not implemented. In yesterday’s meeting, the Hon’ble MoS(C) intimated that the Cabinet Note on the allotment of 4G spectrum to BSNL is already circulated to other ministries. He also assured to depute a senior officer of the DoT to those ministries to quicken the process. Once this process is completed, the Hon’ble MoS(C) assured to take up this issue in the next Cabinet meeting itself. It is assured now that BSNL is going to get 4G spectrum shortly. This is a major break through in the financial revival of BSNL, and undoubtedly a very big achievement of the AUAB.

2. Pension revision of the retirees.

So far, the DoT has been linking pension revision with the pay revision of the employees. They have taken a firm stand that pension revision could be done only when pay revision is done to the serving employees. However, in the meeting held with the Secretary, Telecom on 02.12.2018, and also in the meeting with the Hon’ble MoS(C) on 03.12.2018, the AUAB is informed that pension revision of the retirees is now delinked from the pay revision of the employees. This is a very big achievement of this strike call. AUAB will continue to take all out efforts to ensure that the revision of pension is done at the earliest.

3. Implementation of government rules in the payment of pension contribution by BSNL.

The Hon’ble MoS(C) categorically told that government rule will be implemented, according to which BSNL has to pay pension contribution, based on actual basic pay. A letter has already been gone to the finance ministry, with the recommendation of the DoT. Settlement of this issue, is also a boost for the financial revival of BSNL.    

4. Left out issues of the 2^nd PRC.

The BSNL Management has long been demanding that Management should fulfil the recommendation of the 2^nd PRC, that 30% of the pay should be contributed by the Management towards superannuation benefits of the Directly Recruited employees. On this issue, the CMD BSNL has assured, in the meeting held with him on 02.12.2018, that BSNL’s contribution towards pension contribution will be increased by another 3%, by March, 2019, and the remaining will be increased thereafter in one go. Thus, the non-implementation of the recommendation of the 2^nd PRC, in respect of superannuation benefits is also resolved.    

5. 3^rd Pay Revision of employees.

No final settlement is reached in respect of the 3^rd Pay Revision of the employees. It was told in the discussion by the Hon’ble MoS(C) as well as by the Secretary, Telecom, that pay revision of the employees would be done, but 15% fitment cannot be given. The AUAB representatives gave a detailed presentation to the Hon’ble MoS(C), justifying pay revision with 15% fitment. However, it was not accepted. The AUAB feels that this issue needs to be further persued with the DoT, for which some more time needs to be given.

The leaders of the AUAB, in the meeting held after talks with the Hon’ble MoS(C), appreciated the fact that the strike call has brought major gains to the employees, and that these gains have got to be consolidated, by way of implementation of the assurances / issuing of letters. As regards the wage revision is concerned, the AUAB has decided to give some more time to the DoT to sort out the matter. However, struggles become inevitable, if the persuasions of the AUAB fail.