STAFF REPORTER
BSNL employees, affiliated to nine unions, struck work in the district on Thursday to press for their demands on social security and work conditions.
Mohammed Jaffer, organising secretary (Tamil Nadu circle) of BSNL Employees Union, told reporters that the management should drop the proposed Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS), which was mooted with a hidden agenda to cut down the size of the employees.
“We are also demanding the restoration of medical benefits given to the employees as well as the leave encashment facilities embedded in the LTC (leave travel concession) perks,” he said.
Incentives
The workers were of the opinion that productivity-linked incentives should be given to the staff even if BSNL was recording losses.
Another demand of the workers was that all the Indian Telecom Service (ITS) officials should be sent back to the department of telecommunication.
Pressing demands: BSNL employees of Dharwad Telecom Circle staging a dharna in Hubli on Thursday. — PHOTO: KIRAN BAKALE
In response to the call for a nationwide agitation by the Joint Action Committee of Associations and Unions of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (BSNL) Executives and non-Executives, BSNL employees of Dharwad Telecom Circle staged a daylong dharna here on Thursday.
They staged the protest outside the ‘Sanchar Sadan' near the Head Post Office here, which houses the office of the General Manager of the BSNL, Dharwad Telecom District. They urged the Government to fulfil theirdemands including the immediate repatriation of non-opted Indian Telecommunication Service (ITS) officers.
Office-bearers of various trade organisations and unions addressed the protesting employees and condemned what they termed a deliberate delay by the BSNL management and the Union Government in addressing the issues raised by the joint forum.
‘Purchase equipment'
They demanded that the Union Government take immediate steps to allow the purchase of all equipment required for the improvement and expansion of telecom services offered by BSNL.
Some of the demands of the joint forum are withdrawal of the proposed voluntary retirement scheme, restoring medical allowance, leave travel allowance and leave encashment benefits of employees, fixing IDA (Industrial Dearness Allowance) at 78.2 per cent and contributing pension on actual basic pay.
BSNL staff stir puts subscribers in trouble
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
(BSNL) on Thursday bore the brunt of the nationwide strike by its employees, and were unable to avail themselves of services offered by the telecom service provider.
The strike was in response to the call given by the Joint Action Committee of Associations and Unions of BSNL Executives and non-Executives, Federation of National Telecom Organisations of BSNL Employees' Associations, National Federation of Telecom BSNL Employees, All-India Graduate Engineer Telecom Officers' Association, BSNL Employees' Union, Sanchar Nigam Employees' Association (India), Telecom Employees' Progressive Union, BSNL Mazdoor Sangh, and the SC/ST Employees' Welfare Association of BSNL, in support of their demands.
Many subscribers, who were not aware of the strike, although it was announced several days ago, went to the BSNL office to pay bills and avail themselves of other services. The striking employees staged no demonstration or dharna, as they chose to stay at home for the day, a BSNL employee said over the telephone. Their demands include the immediate repatriation of non-opted Indian Telecom Service (ITS) officers, no voluntary retirement scheme, payment of bonus, LTC, and leave encashment facilities.
BSNL employees' strike peaceful
STAFF REPORTER
Executive and non-executive staff of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) went on a strike on Thursday. The services including internet, mobile and landlines were not disrupted in any part of Krishangiri and Dharmapuri districts, the sources here said. S. Alagirisamy, district secretary of BSNL Employees Union told The Hindu that the strike was a big success.
In some of the offices, meeting were held to explain the stance of the union.
All the 103 telephone exchanges in both districts functioned, Mr. Alagirisamy said.
Mr. Alagirisamy said that the employees went on a strike after the talks between the management and unions on voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) and other issues, failed last Monday.
BSNL wants to offer VRS to employees who have completed 45 years and served on a regular basis for 15 years.
It had been alleged that the government was not providing adequate funds for modernisation of BSNL's infrastructure and has been forcing it to provide new services in areas which are not financially viable.
BSNL staff observe strike
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
Employees of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (BSNL) in Hassan observed a strike on Thursday to press the Union Government to fulfil their demands, including withdrawal of the proposal for implementing voluntary retirement scheme.
The employees took out a march from BSNL office on Bangalore-Mangalore Road to N.R Circle, where they formed a human chain. Traffic was affected for some time during the protest.
Demands
Their demands include restoration of financial viability of BSNL by affirmative measures, timely procurement of equipment, and restoration of medical allowance and leave encashment facility, among others.
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
Employees of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (BSNL) here joined the all-India strike called by executives and non-executives of the telecom company on Thursday.
The members of the Joint Action Committee of Associations and Unions of BSNL Executives and Non-executives held a gate meeting and protest outside the office of the general manager, BSNL, here.
Demands
A spokesperson for the protesters said their demands included withdrawal of the proposed voluntary retirement scheme, immediate payment of bonus, and restoration of medical allowance, leave encashment and leave travel benefits that were withdrawn by the management.
The Government should honour its commitment by compensating for loss-making rural services as per the policy commitment and refund the money paid by BSNL towards non-standard BWA spectrum band, now surrendered by BSNL, he said.
BSNL staff stage protest
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
Members of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) Executives and Non-Executives Associations/Unions staged a protest in front of the telephone exchange here on Thursday as part of the nation-wide strike of BSNL employees against the proposed retrenchment of one lakh workers through VRS and compulsory retirement service, withdrawal of existing benefits such as medical allowance, encashment of leave travel concession and seeking procurement of mobile equipment and broadband modems.
BSNL-JAC observes strike
STAFF REPORTER
Executives and non-executives of the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (BSNL) Joint Action Committee observed a one-day strike demanding solutions to their long-pending problems. The employees of various unions staged a demonstration in front of the BSNL General Manager's Office here on Thursday.
They demanded the management to implement voluntary retirement benefit scheme, provide medical and leave encashment facilities and pay bonus and DA.
Nearly a hundred employees of BSNL gathered at the gate and raised slogans criticising the government for not extending the benefits to them.
Work in the office was completely paralysed and all the offices were seen empty at the BSNL complex in the busy Leela Mahal centre.
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (BSNL) employees abstained from duty on Thursday as part of their nation-wide strike pressing for various demands, including immediate procurement of equipment, and their opposition to the voluntary retirement scheme.
The strike was called by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of BSNL Associations/ Unions of Executives and Non-Executives to defend the State-owned telecom major and its employees against alleged sustained efforts to weaken the entity.
JAC State convener C.K. Gundanna told The Hindu that the strike in Karnataka telecom circle was total as all the employees, except a few Indian Telecom Service (ITS) officers, who should have gone back to the Department of Telecom, participated in the strike.
While there was no impact on telecom services, people had to face hardship as customer service centres did not function, he said.
Demands
The main demands of BSNL employees included “No VRS”; immediate repatriation of ITS officers who did not opt for getting absorbed into BSNL and handing over of the charge of absorbed executives; immediate payment of bonus; restoration of medical allowance, leave encashment and LTC; 78.2 per cent IDA; immediate supply of equipment such as GSM, broadband modem, cables; and compensation for loss-making rural services.
BSNL employees' stir for social security and better work conditions
STAFF REPORTER
BSNL employees, affiliated to nine unions, struck work in the district on Thursday to press for their demands on social security and work conditions.
Mohammed Jaffer, organising secretary (Tamil Nadu circle) of BSNL Employees Union, told reporters that the management should drop the proposed Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS), which was mooted with a hidden agenda to cut down the size of the employees.
“We are also demanding the restoration of medical benefits given to the employees as well as the leave encashment facilities embedded in the LTC (leave travel concession) perks,” he said.
Incentives
The workers were of the opinion that productivity-linked incentives should be given to the staff even if BSNL was recording losses.
Another demand of the workers was that all the Indian Telecom Service (ITS) officials should be sent back to the department of telecommunication.
BSNL staff stage protest
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
Members of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) Executives and Non-Executives Associations/Unions staged a protest in front of the telephone exchange here on Thursday as part of the nation-wide strike of BSNL employees against the proposed retrenchment of one lakh workers through VRS and compulsory retirement service, withdrawal of existing benefits such as medical allowance, encashment of leave travel concession and seeking procurement of mobile equipment and broadband modems.
BSNL employees hold agitation
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
