Because of the continuous efforts of BSNLEU and BSNL CCWF, Corporate Office has allotted funds to all the circles, for payment of wages of contract workers. As regards Kolkata circle, the Corporate Office has allotted Rs.9 crore for payment of wages to 220 workers, as per court order. However, only a paltry 1.6 crore rupees has been allotted to the remaining thousands of contract workers. Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, spoke to Shri P.K.Purwar, CMD BSNL today telephonically and requested that requisite fund should be allotted to Kolkata circle for payment of contract workers’ wages, at par with other circles. The CMD  BSNL assured to look into the matter and to do the needful.

(1) Com.J.Sampath Rao CS, Telangana - Rs.7,100/-
(2) Com.Narender Goud, Adilabad – Rs.2,000/-
(3) Com.Anjangoud, Adilabad – Rs.2,000/-
(4) Com.Durgaprasad, Nalgonda – Rs.,2000/-
(5) Com. R Venkateswarlu,  Nalgonda  - Rs.1,000/-
(6) Com. J.Kishan Rao, Sangarddy  - Rs.1,116/-
(7) Com.KSRK Prasad  Sangareddy – Rs.1,000/-
(8) Com.P.Venkateswarlu  Sangareddy – Rs.1,000/-
(9) Com.S. Bramaiah, Sangareddy – Rs.1,000/-
(10) Com.D Nandagopal   Sangareddy  - Rs.1,000/-
(11) Com.K.Ravinder Rao,  Hyderabad - Rs.1,000/-
(12) Com.Ch.Nagamallu, Khammam  - Rs.1,000/-

As per the call of the CHQ, the Dakshina Kannada District Union (Mangalore) has collected donations to the “Contract Workers Relief Fund”. Out of this, food materials were distributed to 50 contract workers at Mangalore on 21-05-2020. Com.Tanveer Pasha, District Secretary, Com.Rajesh, CWC Member and Com.Revthi Rajesh, All India Committee member of BSNL WWCC, together with other district office bearers participated in this programme.

As regards the Wage Revision of the Non-Executives, both the Management and the Recognised Unions have to sign an agreement, after holding negotiations. In view of this, both the Recognised Unions are pressing the Management hard to start the wage negotiations without further delay. However, Management maintains that the wage negotiations cannot be started without the DoT issuing a clearance for it.  This issue was once again discussed in the recently held Standing Committee meeting. In this connection, the Corporate Office has written to the General Secretaries of both the Recognised Unions of the Non-Executives, giving a status on the matter.

CHQ calls upon the circle and district unions to make the campaign during the March to Sanchar Bhawan, highly visible, so that the general public can understand our problem. Print flex boards, as many as possible, with wordings such as:-

1. "Roll back the Subsidiary Tower Company".
2. "Do not kill BSNL by breaking it into pieces".
3. "Do not take away BSNL's 70, 000 mobile towers"

More such slogans can also be printed on flex boards. Also print as many placards as possible, with such slogans.  Rolling back of the Subsidiary Tower Company is a life and death matter for us. Take maximum efforts to make the programme highly successful. Send reports and photos to the CHQ, through email.

Com. P. Abhimanyu, GS, Com. Swapan Chakraborty, Dy.GS and Com. S. Chellappa, AGS, met Shri A.M. Gupta, GM(SR) today, and demanded that the next meeting of the National Council meeting should be held in September, as has been assured by the Chairperson of the National Council. They also demanded that the date for this meeting should be finalised shortly. The GM(SR) assured to do the needful.

BSNLEU, is continuously organising study classes for it's members, both at the All India level, as well as at circle level, to educate them on various issues. In line with this practice, BSNLEU, Kerala circle, organised study classes, on 04th and 5th November, 2018, at EMS Academy, Trivandrum.  One hundred and six selected comrades participated in the study classes.  The classes were conducted by prominent teachers, Viz., Com.M.V.Govindan Master, Dr.V.Sivadasan, Com. Puthalathu Dinesan, Com. N.Ratheendran, Com. Soosan Kodi and Sri Sekhar S. Nair. The classes were conducted on the following subjects:-

1. Sabarimala and faith
2. Global Capitalism today
3. The present relevance of Das Capital
4. India - Problems and remedies
5. Left alternatives on Indian politics
6. BSNL services

CHQ heartily congratulates the Kerala circle union for taking the initiative to organise the study classes.

The working class and the progressive forces have always been saying that, the attacks launched by the US imperialism, on the countries of the Middle East, viz., Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, etc., are done only with the aim of capturing the oil resources of the Middle East region. Now, the US President, Donald Trump, himself has accepted this fact. He has told in an event to mark the first all female space walk, “We have taken control of the oil in the Middle East – the oil that we are talking about, the oil that everybody was worried about.” Later on, when questioned about his remark about the oil in the Middle East, Trump declined to answer.

[Source: The Times of India dated 20.10.2019]

(1) Shri Bharadwaj Rajan (relative of Com.H.V.Sudharshan) – Rs.7,500/-
(2) Ms. Asha Kumari, IS, BGTD ( VRS )  - Rs.5,000/-
(3) Com. Sumangala. G. Ramani, OS, BGTD ( VRS) - Rs. 5,000/-.
(4) Com. Krishna Simha, OS, BGTD (VRS) - Rs.5,000/-.
(5) Shri C.R. Shanmugam,  EE(C) Retired. - Rs.5,000/-

(6) Shri K.M.Marigowda, SDE(C) - Rs.5,001/-

(6) Com. Abdul Arif, AOS, BGTD - Rs.3,000/-
(7) Ms.Shanthamani, SDE(C) - Rs.3,000/-
(8) Shri Jayaprakash, SDE(C) - Rs.3,000/-
(9) Shri Lokesh, Ex Engr(C) - Rs.3,000/-

(10) Com.A.Harry, AOS - Rs.3,000/-
(11) Com.Thirumala Devi, O.S - Rs.2500/-
(12) Shri Srinivas, SDE(C) - Rs.2,500/-

(13) Shri Somashekar, EE(C) - Rs.2,000/-
(14) Shri Chandrashekaraiah, SDE(c) - Rs.2,000/-

(15) Ms.K.Venkatalakshmi, JE(C)  - Rs.2,000/-
(16) Shri Gurudatta Ishwar Bant,  SDE(C) - Rs.2,000/-
(17) Shri Harish, SDE(C) - Rs.2,000/-
(18) Com. Parveez Ahmed, JTO (C) - Rs.2,000/-
(19) Ms. Anandi, SDE(C)  - Rs.,2000/-
(20) Ms. Mrityunjaya S Hiremat, SDE(C) - Rs.2,000/-
(21) Shri Dileep, SDE (C) - Rs.2,000/-
(22) Shri Sridhar, SDE(C) - Rs.2,000/-

(23) Com.Bhanu Chitra, JTO - Rs.2,000/-
(24) Shri S.Shekara, SDE(C) - Rs.2,000/-

(25) Shri Narasimhamurthy, SDE(C) - Rs.1,500/-.
(26) Com.Savitri Kotur, JE(C) - Rs.1,000/-
(27) Com.Kasturi Rangan, JE - Rs.1,000/-
(28) Ms.Jyothi Mala,Office Manager - Rs.1,000/-
(29) Com.Mary Paul, AOS - Rs.1,000/-

It is a very tough time now, for organising any trade union action. Nation wide lock-down has been imposed to stop the spread of COVID-19. Free movement of the citizens has been severely restricted. Still, the CHQ of BSNLEU taught it appropriate to launch a nationwide protest action against the atrocious increasing of the working hours by certain state governments, injustices being meted out to the contract workers and also on the  non-payment of salary, as well as the curtailment of medical facility issues. It is really heartening to note that, the circle and district level leaders of BSNLEU have risen to the occasion and have organised highly successful lunch demonstrations, with social distancing. In most of the circles the programme has been observed very effectively. BSNLEU has once again proved that it is the fighting organisation. The CHQ congratulates the circle and district level leaders who successfully organised the demonstrations. The CHQ also salutes all the comrades who participated in the demonstrations, despite the prevalence of the lock-down.

The GS and Dy.GS met shri Ashutosh Gupta and expressed their unhappiness on the delay in releasing the minutes of the meeting of the Designations Committee, in which new designations were finalised for the left out Non-Executive cadres. GS, BSNLEU has not signed the minutes, since it contained a clause, according to which the duties and responsibilities of the Non-Executives would change, after change in their designations. This was not discussed in the Committee meeting. The GM(Restg.) suggested to hold another meeting of the Designations Committee. GS told that BSNLEU would make a complaint to the Director (HR) about the inordinate delay in releasing the minutes.

The Central Executive Committee meeting of our Union, held in Agartala, from 3rd to 5th April,2018, has taken many important decisions with regards to the employees, as well as on strengthening the Union. The CEC meeting has decided that all these decisions should be taken to the grass-root level within the shortest possible time. For this purpose, the CEC meeting has decided that all the circle unions should conduct their circle executive committee meetings by the end of 30th April, and report the decisions. Responsibility has been given to the Central Office bearers to attend the circle executive committee meetings and help the circle Unions to implement the decisions effectively. The CHQ calls upon the circle Unions and the Central Office bearers to accomplish this was task within the time frame decided by the CEC meeting.

Since the Chairperson of the National Council has already committed to hold the next meeting of the National Council in September, which is being insisted by BSNLEU, all circle secretaries and CHQ office bearers are requested to immediately send items for the next National Council meeting.

On 05th November, 2018, in a circle level meeting held at BSNLEU, Tumakuru district, Com.C.K.Gundanna, CS, BSNLEU, Karnataka circle, has donated Rs.28,000/-, which is his one month pension, as his contribution for the 9th All India Conference of BSNLEU, to be held at Mysuru, from 17th to 20th December, 2018. On behalf of Circle Union and also the Reception Committee, Com. M.C. Balakrishna, President, Com.Sudharshan, Working President, Com.J.V. Keshav, Treasurer, received the cheque of Rs.28,000/-.

वक्त गुजरता जा रहा है, हड़ताल सुनिश्चित रूप से होगी- सरकार को सूचित करने का AUAB की मीटिंग में निर्णय..

AUAB की कल मीटिंग सम्पन्न हुई। कॉम चंदेश्वर सिंह,GS, NFTE व Chairman, AUAB ने अध्यक्षता की। कॉम पी अभिमन्यु, GS, BSNLEU व Convenor, AUAB ने सभी का स्वागत किया और मीटिंग में चर्चा हेतु एजेंडा प्रस्तुत किया। मीटिंग में BSNLEU, NFTE, SNEA, AIBSNLEA, AIGETOA, BSNL MS व BSNL OA के जनरल सेक्रेटरीज या उनके प्रतिनिधि उपस्थित थे। मीटिंग में AUAB द्वारा प्रस्तुत डिमांड्स के निराकरण की प्रगति की समीक्षा की गई। मीटिंग में यह आकलन किया गया कि 4G स्पेक्ट्रम और वास्तविक वेतन पर पेंशन कॉन्ट्रिब्यूशन के मुद्दे पर समुचित प्रगति हुई है। साथ ही, मीटिंग इस निष्कर्ष पर पहुंची कि 3rd पे रिवीजन और पेंशन रिवीजन के मसले पर उल्लेखनीय प्रगति नही हुई है। यह भी निष्कर्ष निकाला गया कि इन मांगों के निराकरण के लिए उपलब्ध समय केवल फरवरी 2019 तक ही है और पार्लियामेंट इलेक्शन की घोषणा भी मार्च 2019 में कभी भी हो सकती है। एक बार चुनाव की घोषणा हो जाने के बाद आचार संहिता प्रभावशील हो जाएगी और उसके बाद किसी भी मांग का निराकरण संभव नही होगा। उपर्युक्त परिप्रेक्ष्य में मीटिंग में यह निर्णय लिया गया कि गवर्नमेंट को यह सूचित कर दिया जाना चाहिए कि AUAB पुनः हड़ताल पर जाने के लिए बाध्य होगी। यह भी निर्णय लिया गया कि AUAB एडिशनल सेक्रेटरी, टेलीकॉम से व्यक्तिगत रूप से मिल कर उन्हें इस बाबद सूचित करें।

It is on this day that, freedom fighters, Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Raj were hanged by British imperialists in 1931. The three martyrs sacrificed their life not only to remove the British tyranny, but also to end exploitation. While paying our respectful homage to the martyrs, BSNLEU vows to fight against all types of exploitations..

The United States, which claims itself to be the champion of democracy and human rights, is trying to topple the democratically elected government of Venezuela, by hook and crook. It's whole intention is to install a puppet government in Venezuela, so that the US multinational companies can loot the enormous oil reserves of that country. The World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) and the Trade Union International (TUI) of Transports and Communications, have called on the working class to protest against the US interventions in Venezuela. The Tamil Nadu circle union of BSNLEU has taken decision in it's recently held circle executive committee meeting, to organise conventions in four places, against the US interventions in Venezuela. The convention at Chennai will be held on 17-06-2019, together with the Chennai Telephones circle union. Com.G.Ramakrishnan, Member, Politburo of the CPI(M) and Com.P.Abhimanyu,GS, will be addressing this convention. The other conventions will be held at Coimbatore, Madurai and Nagercoil. CHQ heartily congratulates the Tamil Nadu circle union, for taking this initiative.

   The Central Trade Unions (CTUs) namely INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, TUCC, SEWA, AICCTU, LPF, UTUC in their meeting on 21st August 2019, at Delhi congratulated the defense employees for successful strike from 20th August in all industrial, non-industrial (Clerical, office staff) defense production units,Junior Officers, Charge Hands have walked out of 41 ordnance factories (OF) as declared almost a month back, against Modi Government’s plans to corporatize and then to privatise them. This move of the Government will put national security at risk and hence is anti-national.

   The Government wants these 41 Indian Ordnance Factories to produce Rs. 30,000 Cr worth of goods by 2024. The Unions have accepted the challenge, but want the government to assure them that the plans to corporatize the ordnance factories will be shelved.

   The workmen in essential services like fire-fighting, water and electric supply, hospitals in the Ordnance Factories colonies have also struck work, but are back manning those services voluntarily, foregoing the salaries for the days of strikes.

   This massive strike has been peaceful, except in West Bengal, where the oldest ordnance factories are situated. There are reports that the Police lathi-charged the striking workers, injuring scores of them, four seriously. We condemn this unprovoked lathi-charge.

   The CTUs call upon the Modi Government to pay heed to the voice of these soldiers behind the lines, who have struck work not for any of their immediate financial demands but for guaranteeing the supply lines to our Armed Forces. The Government’s plans of corporatization of ordnance factories will jeopardize just that guarantee.

   CTUs also extended their support to the agitations being carried out for almost a month against the move of corporatisation of production units in Railways with an eye on its huge lands and resources actually to pave way for privatisation to benefit corporate houses. It is hearting to note that the family members of the affected employees are also participating in these agitations.

    We call upon all our affiliated unions and Independent Federations/Associations to organise solidarity action programmes on 27^th August throughout the Country in support of striking defense employees and agitating railway employees.

INTUC                     AITUC                    HMS                     CITU                       AIUTUC      

TUCC                SEWA                      AICCTU                     LPF                    UTUC