The working class must give a massive, militant, decisive response to the Greek Government and monopolies which are pushing for the imposition of the 3rd protocol measures that will demolish what remains of the workers’ rights. Unions must strengthen their presence in the workplace. Organization fight with faster pace in every workplace and neighborhood. The day that the government will put the – Butcher – Protocol to the Agreement Parliament there has to be a militant mobilizing thousands of workers in the initiatives of the union movement class. (Courtesy: TUI (P and R)

Against the non-implementation and violation of the Strike agreement made between the Circle management and BSNLCCLU, BSNLEU and SNEA, all the three unions have started Non-Cooperation from 12th August 2014.

The violation of the agreement seems to be a deliberate attempt to provoke the workers and make them go on further agitation, so that the charges against the management for  its inefficiency can be shelved and also the private telecom companies can benefit.

The government has imposed total penalty of 10.80 crore on telecom operators for exceeding prescribed electronic frequency (EMF) limits, Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said in a written reply to Rajya Sabha.

According to the statement, the maximum penalty of Rs 2.15 crore was imposed on Bharti Airtel, followed by Rs 1.80 crore on Vodafone, Rs 1.65 crore on Reliance and Rs 1.45 crore on Tata Teleservices. A penalty of Rs 95 lakh was imposed on Idea, Rs 90 lakh on Aircel, Rs 70 lakh on BSNL, Rs 55 lakh on Loop, Rs 15 lakh on MTNL, Rs 5 lakh on Sistema Shyam Teleservices, Rs 35 lakh on Uninor and Rs 10 lakh on Videocon.

He said that during 2015-16 (upto May 31), 6 base tower stations (BTSs) were found exceeding the prescribed radiation limit on actual testing. The number of towers exceeding the limit stood at 103 in 2012-13 and 77 in 2013-14, while none of the towers were found to exceed the limit in 2014-15. (Courtesy: Financial Express)

As per the communications from Com. Shiv Gopal Mishra, Secretary, Staff Side, JCM National Council, the report of the VII Central Pay Commission may be delayed by about one month. The report was expected to be submitted by the last week of August 2015.

Com. Mishra had met the Chairman and Secretary of the VII CPC on 7th August 2015, during which this news was conveyed to him.

Lakhs of CG employees are eagerly waiting for the report. Most of the state governments also implement the recommendations. It will have its own impact on the Pay Revision/Wage Agreement in the the central Public Sector also.

Hearty Congratulations to the Kerala BSNL Workers! Agreement reached between the Circle management and Unions – Strike and agitation withdrawn.

We heartily Congratulate the casual and contract workers and employees of Kerala Circle for their great victory. Agreement has been reached between the three unions, BSNLCCLU, BSNLEU, SNEA and BSNL Circle management on the demands of the casual and contract workers as also in vacating the victimisation.

After the transfer of MSS Rao, CGM, the new CGM in-charge Shri Subbaiah had discussions with the unions represented by Coms. K.Mohanan, CS, BSNLEU,K. Sudheer, President, SNEA,N.R. Somasekharan Nair, CS CCLU at 17.30 hours. The following agreement was reached:

1. Rs.100/- will be increased in daily wage of contract workers from the present Rs. 336/-
2. A Committee including the Management and the representatives of the 3 unions is constituted to discuss on the demands of the workers.
3. All the victimisation imposed in connection with the present agitation will be vacated.
4. All the victimisation imposed on SNEA leaders in the last SNEA struggle will be vacated.
5. The Strike of the CCLU and the Hunger Strike by BSNLEU and SNEA are withdrawn on the basis of the agreement.

We Congratulate the valiant workers of Kerala for their great Victory! We thank the CHQ of all the three unions. The struggle was necessitated due to negative and stubborn attitude of Shri.M.S.S.Rao, CGMT,Kerala and he has been shifted from Kerala and asked to proceed on leave for 21 days after which his postings will be done. The timely intervention of the Kerala MPs, Com.K.N.Balagopal, Com.C.P.Narayanan, Com.T.N.Seema, Com.K.K.Ragesh and Shri.K.V.Thomas and their meeting with the Communications Minister helped to apprise the Minister the seriousness of the struggle and the negative role of the CGMT. Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, President, BSNL CCWF ,though in London, was in constant touch with the CMD,BSNL urging for early settlement. Com.P.Abhmanyu, General Secretary, BSNLEU and Com.K.Sebastian, General Secretary, SNEA took a very firm and pivotal stand demanding the shifting of the CGMT and reaching reasonable agreement on the issues which was instrumental for effective intervention of CMD,BSNL.

Our Patron Com.P.V.Chandrasekharan played a crucial role in creating a high tempo through out the struggle and giving valuable advices at every stage. Above all it is the unprecedented unity of the workers and unions that has brought in the historic victory.

It is reported that the Cabinet yesterday has decided to grant Rs. 169.16 crores to BSNL, as part of the refund for the BMW Spectrum surrendered by BSNL. BSNL surrendered the spectrum years back and the more than Rs. 4,700 are to be paid to BSNL for the same after the DOT has arbitrarily adjusted about Rs. 2,000 crore towards licence Fee to be paid by BSNL. The Communications Minister, Ravi Shankar Prasad has been continuously declaring that financial assistance will be given to BSNL for revival, but what happens is that even the legitimate refund is not being paid. Is it that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not hearing Communication Minister or the the latter himself is against assisting the BSNL? Any way, the losers are BSNL, the employees and the public. The double face of the Modi Government is exposed fully, which only wants the MNCs and Corporates to grab maximum profits.

Rs. 1,250 crores already allotted for the financial year 2012-13 in lieu of ADC for BSNL is yet to be paid despite assurance from the DOT after the two days April Strike.

Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations has called upon the BSNL employees to organise massive protest demonstrations on 12th August 2015 opposing the approval of the union cabinet to separate the BSNL towers, numbering about 65,000 in to a separate company bifurcating BSNL. The decision of the Cabinet stating that this will improve financial viability is nothing but a clever move to weaken the BSNL by reducing its revenue from the existing towers. The decision of the Forum to express its protest is in time and appropriate.

AIBDPA calls upon its units to join the demonstrations on 12th August along with BSNL employees.