Q: BSNLEU says only ‘some Unions’ walked out of 16th Sept meeting?

A: Out of 13 Unions participated, 11 Unions supported the demand for new recognition rules and grant of minimum trade union facilities to all unions. Brushing aside the majority views, when GM (SR) wanted to declare the election date with old rules succumbing to minority pressure, 9 Unions (out of 13) walked out to lodge their protest. BSNLMS,AIBCTES,BTU etc. even though they are in favour of new recognition rules and minimum trade union facilities demand, did not join the walk out presumably due to alliance compulsions.

Q: BSNLEU says that they will take a democratic decision in CWC on new recognition rules?

A: Right from 2002, the policy of BSNLEU was in favour of recognition of more than one union and change in code of discipline besides grant of minimum trade union facilities to all unions. This was openly declared in their manifesto before 2nd and 3rd verification of membership. But  their practice differ from their own policy that they went to court even to cancel the check off facility granted to all unions by Thiru A. Raja, Honorable MOC & IT. BSNLEU is not in favour of granting minimum trade union facilities to registered unions including their own alliance partners and scuttled the negations with the management in councils. Under compulsion, before 4th verification BSNLEU agreed for minimum trade union facilities to other unions fearing isolation. On 16th Sept. meeting they did not open their mouth even to grant minimum trade union facilities to applicant unions leave alone the demand for new recognition rules.

Present situation in BSNL needs a new work culture and a change in staff relation. This can be achieved only with suitable amendments to the present code of discipline. But the autocratic BSNLEU leadership does not care for the industry or its development. As it is obvious in 16th Sept. meeting, the management is also actively co operating with the nefarious designs of BSNLEU to create industrial unrest. After all the managers are in safe wicket and the victims are the non-executives and BSNL.

K. Vallinayagam
GS FNTO