There is a saying in English that,

“Victory has a hundred fathers and

defeat is always an orphan”.

 This saying has once again proved to be correct. The AUAB has made one more break through on the Pension Revision issue of BSNL retirees. So far, the DoT had been maintaining that BSNL retirees can get pension revision only when the serving employees get Pay Revision. This has been intimated in writing by the DoT, to the CMD BSNL. BSNLEU has strongly taken a stand that Pension Revision should not be linked with the Pay Revision of serving employees. Similarly, many other organisations have also taken up this issue. But everyone knows that this issue has been finally settled only by the powerful jolt given by the AUAB. In the backdrop of the immense pressure generated on the government, due to the massive preparations to go on indefinite strike by the entire Executives and Non-Executives in BSNL, the Secretary, Telecom, invited the AUAB for talks on 02.12.2018. It was in this meeting that, for the first time, it was informed by the Secretary, Telecom, that the DoT has decided to delink the Pension Revision from the Pay Revision of the employees. This is the fact. However, it is ludicrous that some people are now claiming that this is their achievement, without recognising the massive efforts taken by the entire Executives and Non-Executives throughout the country, under the leadership of the AUAB.

(BSNLEU Web)

Circular No. UFBU/2018/20 Dated the 30th November 2018

“After the last round of discussions held on 12-10-2018, there was another round of Bipartite Talks between IBA and UFBU today in Mumbai. IBA team was led by Shri Rajkiran Rai G. (MD & CEO of Union Bank of India) Chairman of the Negotiating Committee of IBA. UFBU was represented by leaders of all the nine constituent unions.

IBA’s increased offer: Picking up the thread from the discussions of the last round of discussions wherein we had urged upon the IBA to improve their offer of 6% hike in the cost of pay slip components, IBA today revised their offer and increased their offer to 8% instead of 6% offered earlier. IBA also reiterated their formula of further wage increase based on their proposal linked to annual increase in Operating Profit and on Return on Assets of the Banks. While welcoming their improved offer, we stated that differential wage increase based profits of each Bank is not acceptable to us and that the wage revision in the Banks should be uniform as has been hitherto. We also further stated that their revised offer is far below our expectations. Hence, we urged upon the IBA to further revise their offer substantially to an acceptable level. We further stated that the issue of full mandate i.e. wage revision for Officers to cover all Officers upto Scale-VII should also be resolved. IBA expressed their limitations in this regard but we insisted them to find an amicable solution to this important issue.

We have requested the IBA to hold further discussions at the earliest and also hold Sub Committee meeting to sort out other remaining issues raised by us in the Charter of Demands. IBA agreed to this suggestion.

UFBU MEETING: Thereafter, meeting of the UFBU was held at AIBEA Office. While taking note of the improved offer of IBA, the meeting expressed its disappointment that the revised offer is totally inadequate to meet our expectations and further noted with concern the attitude of the IBA in not coming forward to resolve the mandate issue. The meeting decided to pursue these issues vigorously.

WE OPPOSE MERGER AND AMALGAMATION OF THE 3 BANKS – ALL INDIA STRIKE ON 26-12-2018: Regarding the proposed amalgamation of Bank of Baroda, Dena Bank and Vijaya Bank, the meeting noted that the Government and the concerned Banks were moving ahead with their decision and hence it was decided to give the call for observing All India Strike on 26th December, 2018.

Separate circular with other preparatory programmes will be issued shortly. We call upon all our constituent unions and members to start preparations for this strike action.

Comrades, we are passing through challenging times and hence our unity and united approach will be highly imperative to face these challenges and attacks.”

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Kurnool District Branch, known for its systematic functioning from the very beginning held its biennial District Conference on 03-12-2018 at K K Bhavan, Kurnool. Com. B.Venkatramaiah, District President controlled the proceedings.

Com.VAN Namboodiri , Advisor graced the occasion with a detailed and inspiring inaugural address covering the current developments. Com.KSC Bose, Circle Secretary, Shri.B.C.Nagaraju, PGM< BSNL,Kurnool, Shri.John, Ex GM< BSNL, Coms.Akbar Basha, ACS, BSNLEU, Venkatrami Reddy, DS, BSNLEU, Vijayabhaskara Reddy, President, BSNLEU and Ramanjayalu, CITU leader addressed the conference. The report and audited accounts presented by Coms.M.Yacob, District Secretary and K.Rangaiah, Treasurer were adopted after discussion.

A new set of office bearers were elected unanimously with Com.B.Venkatramaiah(Presi) Com. G.Mahewsara Rao (District Secretary) and Com. D.Venkateswarl ( Treasurer)

Immediately after the discussion of AUAB leaders with the Secretary, DoT and the Minister, one of the Pensioners Associations, out of over enthusiasm or eager to claim credit first, has flashed that DOT decided to delink pension revision from wage revision and the pension will be revised on CPC fitment. It is a false statement intended to make confusion amongst the pensioners.

What is the reality.?

Of course, it is a fact that DoT agreed for delinking pension revision from wage revision, subject to approval of the Department of Pension and Pensioners Welfare.

The fitment factor was not discussed at all. This will be finalized only after getting the approval of delinking.

It will definitely take some time to complete all these formalities and not to expect orders immediately, as has been propagated by the ‘flashers”.

Com.K.G.Jayaraj, General Secretary has met  Shri.S.K.Jain, DDG (Estt) , DoT on 04-12-2018 in this connection. DDG was of the opinion that CPC fitment is not feasible and will attract unnecessary comments and objections from the nodal ministries even if DoT agrees. And the practical solution is 3^rd PRC fitment.

A GREAT ACHIEVEMENT OF THE UNITED STRUGGLE OF AUAB

PENSIONERS INDEBTED TO THE GREAT GESTURE OF UNIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS OF BSNL.

As briefly reported earlier, the indefinite strike called by AUAB has been deferred after a detailed discussion with Shri.Manoj Sinha, Hon’ble Minister of State for Communications on 03-12-2018. This was in continuation of the talk held with Secretary, DoT on 02-12-2018.

The Minister has taken a positive stand on the issues of 4G spectrum to BSNL, Pension contribution according to basic pension and delinking pension revision from wage revision for which the DoT has already initiated action and Minister asked the DoT officers to expedite the process.

However on wage revision no final agreement could be reached.. The Minister asked the DoT and BSNL management to prepare a viable proposal which needed some more time.

The meeting of AUAB held thereafter reviewed the situation threadbare and decided to defer the strike till further notice.

In the given circumstances , it is a good decision and we congratulate and thank AUAB for this remarkable settlement. We may have to continue the fight for the main demand, the wage revision, if no positive decision come through within a reasonable time.

As far as pensioners are concerned, AIBDPA has maintained the perception since its inception, that any major issue of the pensioners could be achieved only by involvement and struggle of the employees movement. It is vindicated once again through this settlement.

It is regretted to inform that Shri.Pritam Singh, father of Com.Balbir Singh, President, BSNLEU passed away on 02-12-2018 at Ludhiana and was cremated on 03-12-2018. He was very active till he breathed his last and used to attend the BSNLEU conferences held at Ludhiana.

CHQ conveys heartfelt condolences to Com.Balbir Singh and his family members.

Punjab Circle Branch has been defunct for some time long and CHQ has nominated Com. Balvinder Singh of Ludhiana as the Circle Co-Ordinator to revive the functioning.

Now, on 30-11-2018, it is reported that Ludhiana District Branch is revived and new set of office bearers elected. The meeting of the pensioners held at Bharat Nagar Telephone Exchange on 30-11-2018 was presided over by Com.Gurcharan Singh. Com. Balvinder Singh, Circle Co-Ordinator explained the issues as well as organisational position.

Thereafter, the meeting elected the office bearers unanimously with the following important functionaries.

President : Com. Ashok Kumar  , District Secretary : Com.Balvinder Singh and Treasurer : Com.Pawittar Singh  

Veteran leader of erstwhile E-III(NFPTE) Union of Calcutta Telephones Com. Santosh Chatterjee has breathed his last at 12-50 pm today (3/12/18) at Nil Ratan Sarkar Hospital, Kolkata, where he had been admitted few days ago. He was 89 and a bachelor. Com. Chatterjee had played a valient role in the Strikes of 1960, 1968 & 1974 and suffered various victimisation.

Comrades A. K. Bhattacharjee, Supriya Mitra, D. Basu, Swastika Dasgupta, Sanjib Banerjee, Mihir Dasgupta and other leaders of AIBDPA paid respectful homage to the departed leader.

CHQ expresses deep sorrow and conveys heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and comrades of Kolkata.