Denial of trade union rights to the SC/ST employees of BSNL

Denial of trade union rights to the SC/ST employees of BSNL

BSNLEU/200 (REGN)                                                                                                                                                05/07/2016

To

Shri Anupam Shrivastava,
CMD BSNL,
Bharat Sanchar Bhawan,
Janpath, New Delhi – 110 001

Sir,
Sub: Denial of trade union rights to the SC/ST employees of BSNL – reg.

Ref: – BSNL No.65-8/2012-SCT dated 18.03.2016.

With reference to the letter cited under reference, we wish to bring the following to o your kind notice on the subject mentioned above.

We are surprised and shocked to note that the SCT Cell of the BSNL Corporate office,vide its letter cited under reference has issued a letter,denying basic trade union rights to the SC/ST employees of BSNL. The letter categorically states that SC/ST employees, who are members of the SEWA BSNL, cannot and should not be members of any other trade union.

SEWA BSNL is only a welfare association, with the limited purpose of taking up certain issues like reservation. All other issues of the BSNL employees, including that of SC/ST employees, like wages, promotion, perks and allowances, working hours, etc., are being dealt with only by the Recognised Trade Unions of BSNL. Under these circumstances, the SCT Cell of BSNL Corporate Office has issued the above cited letter in the most cavalier fashion, stating that the SC/ST employees who became members of SEWA BSNL, should not be members of any trade union. This is nothing but denial of basic trade union rights of the SC/ST employees of BSNL. Further, this is also a violation of the Constitution of India, which stipulates ‘Right to Association’ as a fundamental right. The contents of the letter cited under reference are quoted below:-

“If any delegate is found after election to be member or office bearer of any trade union/cadre association their office bearer ship/primary membership will be terminated automatically and vacant post will be filled up by the newly elected CHQ governing Body.”

“Bye-laws of SEWA BSNL will be followed strictly and no dual membership will be allowed.”

“All willing SC/ST employees will be allowed/admitted as a member of SEWA BSNL with the condition that he/she should not be bonafide member of any other trade union/cadre association.”

We are enclosing a copy of the letter cited under reference for your kind persual. We request you to kindly look into this matter and to cause the immediate cancellation of the above cited provisions of the letter.

Thanking You,
Yours Sincerely,

(P.Abhimanyu)
General Secretary