BSNLEU News / Notes

IV Membership Verification:- The process of fourth membership verification is likely to start shortly. A preliminary meeting between management and unions is held on 6^th October, 2008. It has been decided that the verification will take place in January’09. The notification is likely to be issued somewhere in November 2008.

Consequent upon this, various unions have stepped up their activities. FNTO, who was with us in the United Forum till recently, has once again walked – over to the side of NFTE. Earlier, FNTO was telling that it would form a ‘third front’ under it’s own leadership. But, having found that there were no takers for the so called ‘third front’ formula, FNTO has silently joined NFTE’s alliance.

All of us remember well that FNTO parted company with NFTE, by accusing that NFTE was supporting the anti-worker policies of the BSNL management like VRS, CRS etc.  Now they want to salvage the BSNL workers by joining hands with the same NFTE!

Except FNTO, all other UF partners are solidly with BSNLEU. In fact we expect a few more organizations to join our alliance. It is certain that the United Forum will come out in flying colours in the next verification.

We want to settle some of the pending staff issues before the verification. But vested interests are trying to block this. In the meeting held 6^th October, 2008, they demanded that management should not settle any issue, once notification for the verification is issued. Management has rejected their demand.

The minutes of the said meeting states as follows. (BSNL/5-1/SR/2008 dated 8^th October, 2008)

“Some of the unrecognized unions demanded that after issue of notification for holding elections, no policy decision be taken in consultation with the recognised union. Reacting to the demand raised, GM (SR) pointed out that it has already been clarified in the past that till the recognition period, the recognised union enjoys the special status of representative union and management will have negotiations only with the recognised representative union to settle the employees’ issues / demands.”

Prepare for the verification in full swing.

Approach each and every employee.

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Promotion Policy: - Com. V.A.N. Namboodiri, Convener, along with other leaders of United Forum met Shri A. Raja, Communications Minister on 7^th & 8^th October, 2008 and discussed Promotion Policy which is being delayed due to the adamant stand of the BSNL management. Minister assured that the issue can be sorted out as early as possible. Com. K.R. Yadav, Vice-President, BSNLEU was also present.

Meeting on Membership Verification: - An exploratory meeting on 4^th Membership Verification was held on 6^th October, 2008 under the chairmanship of Shri Shakeel Ahmad, GM (SR). It was decided to have the Membership Verification polling on 21^st January, counting on 23^rd and declaration of results on 24^th January, 2009.

The tripartite meeting of Chief Labour Commissioner, Management and unions will be held on 12^th November to finalise the arrangements.

UF decides for Indefinite Fast on Promotion Policy:- The National Steering Committee of United Forum met on 05^th October, 2008 and decided to meet Hon’ble Communications Minister on the Promotion Policy. If the issue is not settled even after meeting Minister, it is decided to organize Indefinite Fast, which was deferred earlier, on the assurance of Minister.

BONUS:- BSNL has issued order, vide letter no. 12-8/2008-PAT (BSNL) dated 26.09.2008 for payment of bonus (PLI) for the year 2007-08. For Non-Executive employees the PLI will be equivalent to 0.75 times of basic pay, subject to a minimum of Rs.7000 and a Maximum of Rs.10,000. This decision of BSNL is totally unacceptable to us. It is in violation of the decision taken in the National Council meeting held on 20.09.2007, between union and the management, that the minimum amount will be Rs.10,000/-. BSNLEU will take appropriate trade union action after duly consulting other unions. Branch / District and Circle Unions are requested to get fully prepared.

PROMOTION POLICY:- Com. V.A.N. Namboodiri, GS, met CMD & Director (HRD) on 24.09.2008 and demanded settlement of Promotion Policy by granting FR 22 (I) (a) (I) for all promotion and Executive pay scale (JTO Scale). Detailed additional not being submitted.

MEETING BETWEEN JOINT FORUM AND HON’BLE MOC & IT

A meeting between the Joint Forum leaders and Hon’ble MOC took place today (07.08.2008) at 11.30 A.M. Secretary, DoT and CMD, BSNL were also present. Hon’ble MOC, Secretary, DoT and CMD, BSNL requested the Joint Forum leaders to accept BSNL listing and issuing IPO. CMD even proposed that all employees will be issued with 500 shares of the value of Rs.10/- each, incase unions accept BSNL’s IPO.  The Joint Forum leaders rejected the proposal made by the CMD and categorically told the Hon’ble MOC that unions strongly oppose IPO in BSNL. Finally, the Hon’ble MOC told that the issue could be discussed further. Meanwhile, it is understood that some misleading reports are coming in some TV channels. CHQ is requesting employees not to get confused.

HOLD PROTEST PROCESSIONS / RALLIES  ON 2^ND JUNE’2008.

JOINT FORUM CALL

·   Wear black badges and conduct countrywide processions / rallies on 2^nd June’2008 and publicly oppose the efforts of the Government and BSNL Management to list BSNL in the  share market, introduce IPO and VRS.

·    Hold Press meets wherever possible or issue press releases.

·    Individuals, Branches, Districts and Circles of Joint Forum unions / associations should send the following telegram to Prime Minister :-

 Text  of the  telegram

 “ DROP  PROPOSALS OF LISTING BSNL AND VRS .”

*CHQ, BSNLEU requests our leaders to coordinate with other constituents of the Joint Forum and make widest mobilization for this programme.

*Circle, District and Branch Secretaries should ensure sending of maximum  telegrams to the Prime Minister.

 We Strongly condemn the

Utterly false and fabricated news given in Press Information Bureau.

A totally false and fabricated news is given on the website of the Press Information Bureau, regarding the meeting held between the United Forum leaders and BSNL management, in the presence of the Hon’ble MoC & IT, Shri A. Raja, on 29.05.2008. The PIB report says that the unions have agreed to positively respond before 3^rd June, to the suggestion for listing BSNL in the share market. It further states that a decision is also taken to give VRS to the surplus staff of the CTO. Both these statements are totally false and fabricated. 

In the above said meeting, Secretary, DoT and CMD, BSNL requested the United Forum leaders to accept the listing of BSNL and introduction of VRS for CTO staff. But both these proposals were stoutly rejected by the unions in the very presence the Hon’ble MoC & IT. Inspite of the above facts, it is totally an unethical attempt to spread such lies on the website of the PIB. We strongly condemn this conspiracy to malign the United Forum and it’s leaders. We request the employees not to get confused by the cooked-up news given by Press Information Bureau.

Hold Lunch hour demonstrations

today, the 31.05.2008

Hold Lunch hour demonstrations today, the 31.05.2008, against the attempts / conspiracies to list BSNL in the share market and to introduce VRS. This is the call of the United Forum. Make widest mobilization.

Indefinite fast w.e.f. 3^rd June deferred: - A meeting of the United Forum leaders and BSNL management took place on 29^th May, 2008, in the presence of the Hon’ble MoC & IT, Shri A. Raja to discuss the issue of Five Promotions. Based on the directions given to the BSNL management by the Hon’ble MoC, the United Forum steering committee has decided to defer the indefinite fast.

Five Promotions - Indefinite Fast by United Forum:- Indefinite Fast by General/Circle/District Secretaries of United Forum demanding Five Promotions will start from 3rd June, 2008 instead of 21st May, 2008 as per United Forum decision.

BSNL DELAYS ISSUING ORDER ON 50% IDA MERGER:- BSNL Management Committee deferred decision on 50% merger of IDA on Financial Grounds. Joint Forum calls to organise lunch hour demonstration on 13th May demanding immediate order on merger. Our Leaders met the CMD on 09.05.2008. Expressed strong resentment over the delay and have urged that order should be issued without further delay.

BSNL FLOATS TENDER TO PROCURE 9.3 CRORE GSM LINES:- BSNL has floated a tender to procure 9.3 crore GSM lines, out of which 2.1 crore lines are of 3G services. Out of this 9.3 crore lines, North, South and West zones will get 2.5 crore lines each and East zone will get 1.8 crore lines. The value of the contract is Rs. 40,000 crore. The tenders will be opened on 16.07.2008.

Press Release

4th AIC

Special Casual Leave for AIC Delegates

CEC Meeting

United Forum & Joint Forum