The Committee has so far held three meetings, i.e., on 16.03.2009, 14.05.2009 and 10.06.2009.

Back ground for formation of the Committee :

BSNL has implemented a medical scheme called BSNL Medical Reimbursement Scheme. For reimbursement of the medical bills, BSNL is following the CGHS rates. Problem started when Health Ministry reduced the rates for the various treatments. In respect of some treatments, the rates are reduced even up to 40%. Because of this cut in the CGHS rates, good quality hospitals are not prepared to sign MoU with BSNL. As a result, BSNL employees are suffering for want of treatment from good quality hospitals. To overcome this problem, staff side demanded modifications to the BSNLMRS. Based on this demand, management has Constituted the commitee to review it’s medical policy.

Our Problems :

In the first meeting, Management Side gave the following figures with regards to the

Company’s present expenditure on BSNLMRS::-

Expenditure on Indoor treatment             = Rs.114.74 crore.

Expenditure on Outdoor treatment:-

                          Without voucher             = Rs.249.00 crore.

                          With Voucher                 = Rs.68.50   crore.

                                                         —————--———

                                                        Total = Rs.432.24 crore.

In the first place, we demanded that the old CGHs rates should be restored, since that alone will solve the present problem being faced by the employees. However, this proposal was rejected by the management side. They maintained that there cannot be any deviation from the CGHS rates which are in vogue.

Secondly, we suggested that the concept of ““Model Hospitals”” which is being followed by some PSUs, can be followed by BSNL also. For example, the Indian Oil Corporation has identified Sir Gangaram Hospital (Delhi), Nanawati Hospital (Mumbai), Vijjaya Hospital (Chennai) and Calcuta Medical Research Institute (Kolkata) as Model Hospitals. IOC is reimbursing bills at the highest rates prescribed by these hospitals for various treatments. However, this proposal is also not accepted by the management side.

Thereafter, it was decided to study the medical schemes being followed by various other

PSUs.

Schemes of Other PSUs :

Therefore, the medical schemes of various other PSUs are studied. Two noteworthy schemes among them are that of the State Bank of India and the LIC. These are also the two PSUs which have presence throughout the country, like BSNL.

The SBI is having its own medical policy. It has a chain of approved hospitals throughout the country and it is also having an approved list of rates for various treatments. But the disadvantage of this scheme is that only the employee is eligible for 100% reimbursement of the medical expenses. The spouses as well as other dependants are entitled only for 75% reimbursement.

The LIC scheme is a better one than the SBI scheme. For indoor treatment of ordinary diseases, LIC is having a mediclaim policy. As far as the premium of this mediclaim is concerned, ¾ amount is paid by the company and ¼ of the amount has to be borne by the

employee. In addition to this mediclaim scheme, LIC is also having one more reimbursement scheme for costly treatments. According to this scheme, an employee can get reimbursement upto Rs.5 lakh and this facility can be availed twice in one’s service.

In the meeting held on 10-06-2009, discussions took place on the SBI and LIC schemes. We rejected the SBI scheme, since the employee alone will get 100% reimbursement and other dependents will get only 75% reimbursement. As regards the LIC scheme, it is some what acceptable. We can demand the management to implement a scheme similar to the LIC one. But in that case the present BSNLMRS scheme will be completely replaced, said the management side. This means the amount that the BSNL employees are getting at present for out door treatment (i.e., 50% of one month’s pay plus DA for payment without voucher and one month’s pay plus DA for payment with vouchers) will also be abolished. However, we strongly feel that the system of payments (with or without voucher) for out door treatment should continue in any case. After much deliberations on the various other schemes, once again the ways and means of improving the present BSNLMRS was discussed. We strongly pleaded that management should consider increasing the New CGHS Rates.

Finally, management side made the following proposals:-

(i)                 20% increase in CGHS rates will be considered for employees.

a.       However, in respect of dependents, a cut of 10% in the CGHS rates would be effected.

We welcomed the proposal to increase the CGHS rates by 20% for employees. At the same time we firmly said that there should not be any cut in the CGHS rates in respect of dependents. But management side did not accept this. This issue will be continued to be discussed in the next meeting to be held on 22.06.2009. 

New Transfer Policy

Question: : Whether any new transfer policy for Non Executives is adopted?

Answer: A written transfer policy has been adopted and circulated by BSNL. But that is not being implemented. A new unwritten transfer policy is being implemented recently, particularly in the month of May and June 09, according to which the recognized union will give the list workers to be transferred, GMs  will issue the orders, CGMs will either close their eyes or will go on tour. The GM SR BSNL , Director HRD and CMD hearing  our grievance will smile but will not act.

Wage Revision – What is latest?

The present chairman of the wage revision committee is retiring on 30-06-2009. The previous Chairman opted out in the beginning itself for obvious reasons.

FNTO therefore has requested to upgrade the status of the committee (a board of Director as Chairman) and also to involve all the applicant unions in the wage revision exercise as was done during the first revision.

K. Vallinayagam

GS FNTO

Meeting with Communication Minister

Leaders of BSNL Workers alliance met Thiru A.Raja Honble MOC & IT at Electronic Niketan today at 12:30 hrs. Various staff issues as well as problems facing the industry were discussed. Minister gave a patient hearing to our presentation and assured of appropriate action.

Motivated transfers in circles: We have drawn the attention of the Hon. MOC on vindictive transfers targeting FNTO and NFTE activists.

Minimum trade union facilities: Alliance demanded minimum trade union facilities to all registered unions as per consensus

Wage revision: We suggested that the status of the committee should be upgraded and all unions should be invited for discussion..

50% IDA merger for retirees : We pointed out the inordinate delay over this issue. Minister assured he will discuss it with Secretary DOT.

Other pending issues like five promotion, free mobile connection for staff, settlement of anomaly, reservation in promotion for SC/ST, compassionate ground appointment etc were presented through a memorandum.

FNTO was represented by Shri K. Vallinayagam, GS FNTO, Shri  B D Sharma, CS Delhi Circle, NFTE by Shri  N T Sajwani, SG NFTE, S/Shri Islam Ahmad & Kohli, Secretaries NFTE and WRU by Shri  S.P. Sharma, President.

Meeting with G.M. (S.R), BSNL:  GS FNTO pointed out to G.M. (S.R.) that despite the intervention of CGM A.P. motivated transfers made in Warangal & Other SSAs have not been cancelled. It is reported the GMs concerned are openly defying the guidelines of Corporate Office, we informed the GM (SR).

 By: THOMAS JOHN K.

WHO WILL BAIL OUT BSNLEU ?

THE PAY REVISION OF NON EXECUTIVE  OF BSNL IS BLOCKED BY BSNLEU IN THEIR EAGERNESS TO IMPLEMENT THE CITU/CPM POLICIES. THEY ARE NOT BOTHERED ABOUT THE FITMENT percentage. THEY ARE DEMANDING  WAGE REVISION IN EVERY FIVE YEARS. THIS DEMAND HAS ITS OWN RAMIFICATIONS ON BOTH WAYS. EVERY 5 YEARS REVISION OF PAY SCALES IS A GOOD IDEA FOR A PROFIT MAKING COMPANY AND WHEN ONE IS SURE THAT THE COMPANY'S FUNDAMENTS ARE STRONG AND WILL NOT BE ERODED IN FIVE Years PERIOD.

AS FAR AS BSNL IS CONCERNED THE PROFIT IS COMING DOWN EVERY YEAR AND OPERATIVE INCOME OF 2009 MARCH ENDING MAY BE NEGATIVE AND COMPANY MAY BE EVEN IN RED. A LOSS MAKING  COMPANY CAN REVISE THE PAY SCALE DOWNWARDS NOT OF COURSE UPWARDS. UNLIKE OTHER PSUs BSNL EMPLOYEES ARE GETTING GOVERNMENT PENSION AND PENSION OF CENTRAL GOVT. EMPLOYEES ARE REVISED/RE-FIXED ONCE IN 10 YEARS. FOR LARGE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES  RETIRING WITHIN FIVE YEARS HIGHER FIXATION WILL BE BENEFITED OTHERWISE THEY .NOT ONLY LOOSE HIGHER SALARY  BUT PENSION BENEFITS ALSO. YOUNGSTERS ALSO LOOSE SALARY BECAUSE OF LOW PAY FIXATION.  AN INTELLIGENT UNION CAN NOT IGNORE THESE ELEMENTS WHILE NEGOTIATING PAY REVISION.  YES  LET EVERYBODY LOOSE EXCEPT Communist Party to India THAT  BSNLEU’S POLICY.

THE TALE OF 50% IDA MERGER.

THE BSNLEU ALWAYS BOTHERED ABOUT THEIR POLITICAL MASTERS CPM RATHER THAN BSNL WORKERS. THE IDA MERGER ISSUE IS A CLASSIC EXAMPLE. ON THE ISSUE OF 50% IDA MERGER THEY BEHAVED EXACTLY THE SAME WAY. BSNLEU ASKED IN WRITING FOR 50% IDA MERGER FROM 2005 IN LINE WITH CITU/CPM DECISIONS. IT WAS PUBLISHED IN THEIR WEB ALSO. IN FACT THE CENTRAL CABINET HAD APPROVED 50% IDA MERGER FOR PSUs FROM 1/1/2007 AND KNOWING THAT BSNL BOARD CAN NOT REVISE THE COMA OF A CABINET ORDER, COM. VAN NAMOODIRI WROTE TO THE BSNL MANAGEMENT WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF ALLIANCE PARTNERS,  TO PAY ARREARS FROM 2005 TO PLEASE HIS POLITICAL MASTERS THE CPM CONTROLLED CPSU UNION. TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THIS LETTER, THE BSNL MANAGEMENT DECIDED TO DELAY THE IDA ARREARS CASE OF NON EXECUTIVES WHILE THEY WERE READY TO PAY THE ARREARS TO EXECUTIVES ON THE BASIS OF CABINET MEMO.

THIS ISSUE WAS NOTIFIED IN NATIONAL COUNCIL AND WHILE DISCUSSING 50% IDA MERGER ISSUE, THE MANAGEMENT TOLD POINT BLANK THAT, IDA MERGER CAN NOT BE SETTLED FOR THE NON EXECUTIVE STAFF UNLESS & UNTIL BSNLEU WITHDRAW THEIR LETTER ASKING ARREARS FROM 2005, WHICH IS AGAINST THE CABINET DECISION.

THIS ISSUE WAS NOTIFIED IN NATIONAL COUNCIL AND WHILE DISCUSSING 50% IDA MERGER ISSUE, THE MANAGEMENT TOLD POINT BLANK THAT, IDA MERGER CAN NOT BE SETTLED FOR THE NON EXECUTIVE STAFF UNLESS & UNTIL BSNLEU WITHDRAW THEIR LETTER ASKING ARREARS FROM 2005, WHICH IS AGAINST THE CABINET DECISION.

Thomas John K
General Seretary, UNIILC
Kottakatethu Valiaparmpil,
Nr. housing Board, Kadammnitta Road,
KOZHENCHERRY, Kerala PIN 689641
Mob. 09446011789, 0468 2311789  

TALKS WITH DIRECTOR HRD, BSNL

We demanded wage revision exercise has to be completed with in a time frame, preferably before 30th June 2009. Director replied that though it depends upon the cooperation of all concerned, management will try to complete as early as possible. On periodicity of wage revision we were informed by the management that the question of 5 year periodicity and corresponding fixation benefit etc has been referred to DOT. We demanded that there should not be any dilution in fitment benefits or pension revision because of the periodicity.

BSNL Workers alliance demanded involvement of all unions in the wage revision talks with the management. Management assured that this request will be duly examined in consultation with the ministry. But we insisted that the promotional policy should be at par with executives.

Staff side questioned why the administration is not considering promotion policy at par with executive while it is ready to process wage revision at par with executive. Director HRD replied as the agreement has been signed with the recognized union it is not possible to reopen the issue. Union representatives cited one or two instances where the agreement has been revised. Management is of the view that some minor corrections if need be can be considered after the approval of the policy by DOT.

The meeting was cordial. BSNL workers alliance will meet tomorrow to decide upon further course of action.

K.VALLINAYAGAM
GENERAL SECRETARY
12.05.2009

JOINT STRUGGLE ON WAGE REVISION

Question: Shri R.V. (TEPU) has written to General Secretaries on joint struggle?

Answer: FNTO has acknowledged his letter over phone. We appreciate his sentiments. We have suggested a discussion by all concerned for evolving common strategy before launching any join struggle.

Question: G.S. BSNLEU has responded to the letter of Convener, BSNL Workers Alliance?

Answer:  Convener would respond collectively in this regard. Had this initiative taken by BSNLEU in January 2009 itself a better deal could have been clinched by this time. Better Late Than Never.

GS FNTO

BSNL Board provisionally forms National Council where there are 3 to 4 working employees. Rests are DE.SDE, JTO, Retired...

Since www.fnto.org was under mainteanance you could not visit it for some time. We regret inconvenience caused to our viewers.

Kindly visit

http://fnto-union.tripod.com

D.D. Mistry, Web Incharge. 

GS BSNLEU requests Shri N.T. Sajwani, Convenor, BSNL Workers Alliance for joint strugle for Wage Revision but does not spell out the details thereof but for inviting the workers to join struggle.

FNTO STRONGLY PROTEST AGAINST ISSUANNCE OF UNILATERAL ORDER.

As the quantum of Interim Relief - adhoc advance is inadequate

Our Notice for Strike holds good.

ANNOUNCEMENT OF ADHOC ADVANCE BY BSNL

 Unilateral announcement of inadequate advance by BSNL management has created a sense of anger and protest through out the country. BSNL Workers Alliance has already served the Strike Notice and Notice for hunger Strike which holds good. In the meanwhile we will observe the developments and take appropriate decision in due course. Our Circle/District Secretaries may circulate the contents of Strike Notice, our demand etc and prepare the members for the action programme.

 GS FNTO.

BSNL forms new NCM of official side and staff side on 4.5.09.