Voice of Electricity Workers April-June 2002 Index
REPORT FROM WEST BENGAL
UNIQUE EXAMPLE OF JOINT ACTION BY THE WEST BENGAL
ELECTRICITY EMPLOYEES
Almost all parts of India shook with
the Industrial Strike on 16th April,2002 called by the Central Trade Unions and
National Platform of Mass Organisations against the Anti-People Economic,
Industrial and Labour Policy of Govt. of India adopted at the behest of the
International Capitalist and Imperialist forces.
In West Bengal besides
Trade Unions of all affiliates lot of the organisations of Peasants,
Agricultural Labourers, Teachers, Students, Youths, Intellectuals, Lawyers,
traders, small business unit owners and other organisations of professionals
from different walks of life came forward to extend support to 16th April
Strike. It was understood from the end of March, that 16th April in West Bengal
will take a shape of General Strike from its original form of Industrial Strike.
Though National Co-ordination Committee of Electricity Employees & Engineers in
its meeting held on 10th March,2002 in New Delhi decided to support the 16th
April Industrial Strike in principle but programme and form of action was left
upon the decision of the respective state Units of NCOEEE. But none of the state
organisations excepting constituents of Electricity Employees Federation of
India came to know the decision of NCOEEE. As a result no advance preparatory
action for the Strike could be chalked out.
WBSEB Workmen's Union (EEFI)
requested the President of WBSEB Engineers Association & Convener of the state
chapter of NCOEEE to convene a meeting of all the state constituents of NCOEEE.
He procured a copy of the NCOEEE communiqué on 10th March Meeting from WBSEB
Workmen's Union and promptly convened a meeting of all the state constituents of
NCOEEE. It was a lively meeting and unanimous decision was arrived upon that the
Electricity Employees, Officers and Engineers of West Bengal Will actively
participate in the Strike but care would be taken to avoid disruption of
Generation and Supply of Electricity. Strike Notice was issued under joint
signature of leaders of all the constituents of NCOEEE.On 12th April mammoth
rally of the Electricity Employees, Officers and Engineers was organised in
front of the Vidyut Bhawan, WBSEB HQ, Zonal Hqs and Power Stations.
Employees engaged in emergent nature of duty will perform normal duty, putting
on a Badge in support of the Strike and the demands. All the Organisations
Workers, Engineers and Officers of WBSEB and WBPDCL excepting a very small
fraction of the INTUC union took part in the Strike. Major section of the
members of INTUC Union took part in the Strike in defiance of the standpoint of
their National and State leaders. In short, it may be mentioned that the Strike
was a very much successful one with participation of 98% of West Bengal
Electricity Employees-Officers- Engineers and the 16th April, 2002 will be vivid
as an exemplary day of Joint Movement in Electricity Industry of West Bengal.
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