BSNL EMPLOYEES UNION PUNJAB TELECOM CIRCLE (Regd. Under I.T.U Act 1926) Circle President: - Com. R.L. Moudgil Circle Secy:-Com. Balbir Singh H.N. 2329, TELEHOS EMP. Co-op. Qtr NO. 76, Sanchar Colony HB Society, Sector A-50-C Block-D, BRS Nagar Chandigarh-160047 Ludhiana Cell No.94171-82626 Cell No. 9417001515______Ref. No: BSNLEU/ PB/Circular/12-13/5 Dated at Ldh. the 11-07-2013.

The three days CEC meeting held at Kolkata from 7th July to 9th July has taken decision to go on serious struggle for the settlement of pending issues. ************************************************************************* Dear Comrades,

After magnificent victory in the 6th membership verification and settlement of 78.2% IDA merger, the 3 days CEC meeting was held at Co-operative building, Ultadanga, Kolkata. The name of the venue was Com. Moni Bose Manch. Com. P. Abhimanyu GS, BSNLEU, hoisted the union flag at 10.30 AM. All the CEC members led by Com. A. K. Padmanabhan, President, CITU, Com. V.A.N. Namboodiri, President, BSNLEU, and Com. P. Abhimanyu GS, BSNLEU paid floral tributes at the martyrs’ column. The cultural group of BSNL Employees union welcomed the CEC members with revolutionary songs. Before the inauguration of CEC rich tributes were paid to Com. K. G. Bose a great visionary, on his 93 rd birth anniversary. He was remembered for his contribution towards the P & T movement. His sacrifices for trade union movement were also remembered. Com. V.A.N. Namboodiri, Presided over the meeting and delivered presidential address. Com. A. K. Padmanabhan, President, CITU inaugurated the CEC. He congratulated the leaders and workers of BSNLEU on consecutive 5th time victory in 6th membership verification. He strongly condemned the anti public sector policies of UPA government.

On 08-07-2013 was birth centenary of tallest communist leader, Veteran trade union leader and longest term serving chief minister of West Bengal Com. Jyoti Basu Rich tributes were paid to the legendary leader of the trade union movement.

The CEC became memorable as all these days were important days in the history of trade union movement of West Bengal. Emotional moments were also noted when Com. Jyotsana Bose, wife of our beloved leader late Com. Moni Bose, attended the CEC meeting along with her son Com. Gautam Bose. She addressed the CEC for few minutes and greeted all the comrades.

The CEC meeting of BSNLEU concluded with a mammoth open session held in Mahajati Sadan Kolkata. More than 1400 employees from across the west Bengal attended the open session.Com. Syamal Chakraborty President CITU, West Bengal, Com. V.A.N Namboodiri President BSNLEU, Com. P. Abhimanyu GS BSNLEU, Com. Animesh Mittra, Dy. GS BSNLEU, Com. A.K Bhattacharji President All India BSNL/DOT Pensioners Association and Com. Tapas Ghos, Secretary General BSNL Casual & Contract workers federation addressed the Open session. Resolutions Following resolutions were unanimously passed: 1. Resolution on pending demands. 2. Resolution against 100% FDI in Telecom. 3. Resolution on 6th Membership verification, congratulating and thanking each and every employee of BSNL. 4. Resolution against closure of Telegram services. 5. Resolution on Casual Contract Workers. 6. Resolution on Group of Ministers on revival of BSNL. 7. Resolution appreciating the reception committee for making excellent arrangements for CEC.

CHQ calls for struggle to settle the pending demands This Central Executive Committee meeting of BSNL Employees Union held at Kolkata from th th 7 to 9 July, 2013 notes with serious concern, that several pending demands, agitating the minds of the employees, are remaining unsettled due to the negative attitude of the management. In view of the indifferent attitude of the management, CEC meeting directed the CHQ of BSNLEU to give notice for the following programme of action for settling these issues:

2.1. Dhaemronsna’st ratat iSSAons /atCi rSSA/Cicle/Corrcpoler/aCtoer poOfrfiacete fOorff 3ice da oyns 19fro.0m7 .212013.st to 23rd August, 2013. 3. One day strike on 04-09-2013.

The Issues.

(1) Stagnation that arose for a considerable number of employees, after the wage revision from 01.01.2007. (2) Salary reduction in case of those recruited after 01.01.2007. (3) Change of Designations. (4) Correct implementation of NEPP as per the agreement reached between the Recongnised Union and Management, and also as per the various suggestions given by the Union. (5) Implementation of E-1 pay scale for non-executives. (6) Compassionate Ground Appointments. (7) Regularization of all left out TSM and casual labour. (8) Payment of PLI (Bonus). (9) Restoration of LTC, leave encashment on LTC, and medical allowance. (10) Revision of allowances. (11) Relaxing the eligible conditions for Departmental Exams of TM, TTA, JAO and JTO. (12) Up gradation of Sr.TOA/TM and other pay scales. (13) Revival of Telecom Factories and settlement of the problems of Telecom Stores/Civil Wing and Telecom Accounts cadres and Drivers. (14) Further relaxation in qualifying marks for SC/ST employees in Departmental Promotion exams as per the DOP&T orders. (15) Filling up of SC/ST backlog vacancies. (16) Implementation of SC/ST reservations in NEPP. (17) POs for the officials whose training started in DOT and appointment was given by BSNL and those whose regularization procedure had started in DOT but appointed after formation of BSNL. (18) Wages for TSM and Casual Labour on par with the IDA pay of Group D in BSNL. (19) Payment of minimum wage to contract workers on par with the wages of the cadre whose work they are doing. (20) Implementation of labour laws and social security measures like EPF, ESI etc. for contract workers. (21) Promotion of the officials qualified and trained as TM to TTA cadre by personal up gradation. (22) Promotion of the TTAs officiating as JTOs to the JTO cadre by personal up gradation. (23) Option for pay fixation on promotion, on the date of next increment, which falls after 01.10.2000. (24) Relaxation in qualifying marks to the failed candidates in the JAO/JTO exam held recently for filling up the unfilled vacancies, as done earlier. (25) Fresh recruitment of staff. (26) Five day / 40 hours week for all. (27) Pensionary benefit for BSNL recruitees.

Closure of Telegram Services The CEC meeting took serious note of the arbitrary decision of the BSNL management to close the telegram services from 15-07-2013. The management did not feel necessary even to discuss with the recognized unions. The management view point that the telegram services are not viable is far from truth. In fact most of the CTOs and DTOs are converted already into Customer Service Centers, where in activities such as booking of new telephone connections, selling of SIM cards/ Recharge coupons, collection of Landline and Mobile bills, issuing of duplicate bills are being carried out. Day long Dharna’s were organized on 12-07-2013 at CHQ/Circle and SSA level against closure Telegram services. We will continue to protest against the closure of telegram services. Protest demonstrations against 100% FDI In Telecom Sector

It is a matter of concern that the Telecom Commission has recommend increasing FDI in telecom sector from 74% to 100%. This decision will pave the way for the total takeover of Indian telecom companies by multinational companies, which will create a serious security threat to the nation. BSNL Employees union strongly condemns 100 % FDI in telecom sector. On 09-07-2013 demonstrations were held all over the country protesting 100 % FDI in telecom sector on the call of CHQ. National level convention at New Delhi for Revival of BSNL The Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations has decided to conduct National Level convention for the revival of BSNL at Mavalankar Hall, at New Delhi on 03-08-2013. Leaders /Workers from across the country will participate. Similar conventions are to be held at Circle level.

Donation of One day Pay for rehabilitation of victims of flash floods and land slides in Uttrakhand While expressing its deep grief and condolences to the thousands of people killed due to the flash floods and landslides in Uttrakhand.The forum has decided to donate one day pay to the Prime Minister Relief fund. The deducted pay towards donation will come around Fifty Crores approximately. Collection of Rs.100 for CHQ As you are aware that last year BSNLEU purchased own building in West Patel Nagar. A Heavy Loan was taken from the banks against the savings of CHQ. A heavy interest is being paid by the CHQ towards the interest on the loan. The CHQ is facing serious financial problems due to heavy interest on the unpaid loan. The Kolkata CEC has endorsed the decision of Ludhiana AIC to collect Rs.100 towards CHQ Fund. No doubt the Punjab Circle organised the 6 th AIC at Ludhiana Punjab in a grand manner by collecting huge funds from its members. But it is our duty to contribute towards CHQ funds, hence the District Secretaries are requested to collect Rs.100-00 from each and every member of BSNLEU and deposit the same with the circle Union for further deposition to the CHQ.

BSNL Casual Contract Workers Federation The BSNLEU has seriously noted the exploitation of casual contract workers by the contractors in connivance with some of the officers. A meager salary/ payment are being made to these workers. As per an official report of the government submitted to the Parliament 3361 casual labourers are working in BSNL. In addition to this more than One Lac Contract workers are working in BSNL. No Social security measures viz. Minimum wages, ESI, EPF etc. are extended to them. CHQ has called upon all the regular workers of BSNL at all level to organise the contract workers and give them leadership in their struggle. All India BSNL/DOT Pensioner Association So far AIBDPA has been formed in eighteen circles. The numbers of pensioners are increasing day by day and their problems are also multiplying. It is estimated that in future the Number of Retired employees may increased than that of regular employees. The CHQ has directed to all the Circles to form AIBDPA. Punjab Circle has informed the CHQ that AIBDPA will be streamlined by the month of Oct-2013.District secretaries are requested to take necessary action in this regard.

Formation of Local and Circe Councils On the writ petition filed by the FNTO in Kerala high court the Court has passed an interim order that the names of the unions who could not secure 7% or above votes should not be included in the councils at all levels. This means that we could not include the names of our allies who supported BSNLEU in the sixth membership verification in the councils at respective levels. Efforts are on to find out a way. CHQ will take final decision in consultation with the united forum. Holding of Extended/ Circle Working Committee meeting The CEC held at Kolkata has called upon all the Circles to conduct Extended/CWC meetings in all the circles. The meetings are to be convened to explain the new recognition rules, proportionate representation and related issues. It has also been decide that one of the CHQ office bearer will attend the meeting. So the Extended/CEC meeting of the Punjab Circle is to be held before August 31st 2013. District unions who can hold the same are requested to contact the Circle Union so that the dates are fixed accordingly.

Enhancement of Union subscription As approved by AIC Ludhiana held in the month of September-2012 the Registrar of Trade Unions has accorded its approval for enhancement of Union subscription from Rs.20 to 30. Orders of the same have been issued by the BSNL corporate Office also. As per the amendment to the Union constitution the deducted union subscription is to be shared as under: 1. CHQ =Rs.10/- 2. Circle =Rs.8/- 3. District =Rs.7/- 4 Branch =Rs.5/- The deducted subscription in r/o branch will not be given to the branch directly instead the District Union will get Rs.12/- per member. So it is the duty of the District Union to give the share of the branch i.e. Rs-5 to the respective branches. District Secretaries are requested to make the payments of subscription share to the branch on monthly basis accordingly.

Increase in IDA IDA has been increased from 74.9% to 78.9 % hence increase of 4%. Orders to this effect have been issued by the Department of Public Enterprises. BSNL has also issued orders.

Holding of District and Branch Conferences Most of the District conferences in Punjab Circle are due. District secretaries of the districts where District Conferences are not held, are requested to hold the same in consultation with Circle Union.

With warm greetings

Comradely Yours,

Balbir Singh Circle Secretary. Congratulation dear comrades! Today’s Dharna against closure of Telegram services was very successful all over Punjab. Prepare for ensuing struggle for settlement of long pending issue. Kolkata CEC has given call for massive demonstrations at all levels on 19-07- 2013,relay Dharna,s from 21st to 23rd August and one strike on September 04,2013.