People's Democracy
(Weekly Organ of the Communist Party of India (Marxist)
No.
17
April 25, 2010
|
Vol. XXXIV
No.
17 April 25, 2010 |
Indefinite
Strike of BSNL Employees
Called
Off After Agreement with Minister
THE indefinite strike of
BSNL workers has been
called off after discussion with communications and IT minister A Raja
on April 20, 2010.
The strike was complete all over
the country with most
of the 3000 and odd BSNL offices completely deserted due to strike by
executive
and non-executive employees numbering more than three lakhs. Many
offices stood
closed since nobody was available. The employees on strike organised
rallies,
dharnas etc in front of their offices raising the demands of the
strike.
Thousands of workers mobilised in the metro cities like Kolkata,
Chennai,
Hundreds of workers who were on
strike organised rally
in front of Bharat Sanchar Bhavan, Corporate Office,
The minister of communications
called the JAC leaders
for discussion by 11 am. After protracted discussion for about two
hours,
agreement has been reached on the following points.
The minister assured that all
stake holders including
the unions will be taken in to confidence before any decision is taken
with
regard to voluntary retirement scheme (VRS), disinvestment and sharing
of
infrastructure.
It was also assured that in the
case of absorption
issue of ITS officers as also revision of pension of BSNL retirees, a
note will
be prepared and submitted to cabinet within three months. 30 million
mobile
lines will be made available this year to BSNL to provide connections
to
people. It was also assured that the wage revision of non-executives
will be
approved by DoT within 15 days.
The Joint Action Committee met
and on the basis of the
assurances withdrew the strike and called upon the workers to resume
duty.
The Joint Action Committee
congratulates the workers
for organising the historic struggle. It also thanked all the central
trade unions,
service associations, political parties and others who supported the
struggle.
