Telecommunication technologies are undergoing a rapid change. Especially, during the past one decade, technological changes have swept the telecom sector. Consequently, the job content of many cadres have immensely changed. 99% of the DR JEs are Engineering Graduates. They man all the high-tech areas in BSNL. Similarly, the Sr.TOA and Telecom Technician cadres are also handling high technologies. These aspects are discussed at length in the Central Executive Committee meeting of BSNLEU, held online on 22.12.2021. After threadbare discussions, the CEC meeting has unanimously decided to demand upgradation of the pay scale of JE from NE 9 to NE 10 (36400-94500), upgradation of the pay scale of the Sr.TOA cadre from NE 7 to NE 8 (30600-79600) and upgradation of the pay scale of the Telecom Technician cadre from NE 6 to NE 7 (26600-69300). The CHQ of BSNLEU has written a detailed letter to the CMD BSNL today, communicating BSNLEU’s demand for the upgradation of the pay scales for JE, Sr.TOA and TT cadres. 

BSNLEU is demanding certain important amendments to the JAO RR. Further, the Union is demanding that, the JAO LICE should also be held immediately. This issue is already discussed with the CMD BSNL a few days ago. As a follow up to this, BSNLEU wrote a letter to the PGM(Pers.) today, demanding speedy action on the demands.

The Establishment Branch of the Corporate Office has already written to all the CGMs, seeking information regarding the number of SC/ST/OBC employees working in TT, JE and JTO cadres. This input is very much required for holding the LICEs. It is learnt that only a few circles have sent this information to the Corporate Office so far.  Hence, the CHQ has written to all the Circle Secretaries, requesting them to immediately meet their respective CGMs and arrange to send the inputs  to the Corporate Office without further delay. 

In the meeting held between the AUAB and the Board of Directors on 27-10-2021, assurance was given that, all the LICEs would be held without further delay and that the notifications for holding these LICEs would be issued by 30.11.2021. However, the Management has watered down this assurance and has only called for inputs for holding JTO(T), Junior Engineer and Telecom Technician LICEs. There are other LICEs of the Non-Executives, like the JAO, JTO(OL), for which no action has been initiated for holding those LICEs. Hence, BSNLEU has written to the CMD BSNL, demanding that: -

a)    Action should be taken for holding all the LICEs of the Non-Executives. 

b)    Proper notifications should be issued immediately for holding the LICEs. 

The CEC meeting of BSNLEU is successfully held online yesterday the 22.12.2021. 48 members of the CEC attended the meeting. Com.Animesh Mitra, President, presided over the meeting. Homage was paid to the comrades who had left us after the last CEC meeting. Com.P.Abhimanyu, General Secretary, presented the note for discussion in the meeting. All the participants took part in the deliberations. The meeting unanimously decided to participate in the two day General Strike, to be organised on 23^rd and 24^th February, 2022, as per the call of the Central Trade Unions. The meeting also discussed many important issues of the employees and has taken decisions on them. 

BSNL Management is not paying wages to the contract workers. In some circles, contract workers’ wages are not paid even upto 18 months. BSNLEU is repeatedly writing to the CMD BSNL and also discussing this issue with him. However, the Management continues to exploit the contract workers, by not making payment of wages on time. Hence, once again, BSNLEU has written to the CMD BSNL, reminding him that BSNL is not a private limited company and thus, it’s should not exploit the contract workers.

The MoUs signed between BSNL and Canara Bank and the Union Bank of India have expired long back. BSNLEU is continuously taking up the issue with the Director (HR) and the Sr.GM(CBB). However, so far, the MoUs are not renewed and the employees are suffering. Hence, BSNLEU has written to the CMD BSNL, demanding immediate action for the renewal of Canara Bank and the Union Bank of India.

Payment of medical bills of the retired employees is pending from March, 2019. The CHQ of BSNLEU is repeatedly taking up this issue. Once again, BSNLEU has written to the CMD BSNL, demanding payment of all pending medical bills of the retired employees. BSNLEU has reminded the CMD BSNL that, the retired BSNL employees have also toiled hard and have immensely contributed for the growth of the Company. BSNLEU has told that, the Management should not neglect the welfare of the retired employees.

BSNLEU is continuously raising it’s voice against the unwarranted harassments being caused to more than 850 ST employees of Maharashtra circle, by the Chief General Manager, Maharashtra circle. These harassments are being caused, based on a baseless and frivolous complaint given by someone, accusing that the caste certificates of these employees are bogus. All these employees have already completed 25 to 35 years of service. Adding insult to the injury to these ST employees, the retirement benefits of the ST employees retired under VRS / superannuation are also not settled. BSNLEU has many times raised it’s objection to this injustice also. Under these circumstances, the Department of Pension and Pensioners Welfare, has issued categorical instruction now, stating that, the retirement benefits should not be withheld, due to the non-completion of verification of caste certificate. In view of this, BSNLEU has written to the CMD BSNL, demanding immediate settlement of the retirement benefits of the ST employees of Maharashtra circle, who have retired under VRS / superannuation.