Reports From Indian States 

With Flying Colours

 A referendum for recognition of sole bargaining agent in the Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation was conducted by the management seeking assistance of 188  officers of the Govt. of  West Bengal  deployed on 43 booths wherein 10,426 voters from the electoral  roll of the company participated and exercised their vote in the election in August 2005. 

It was a commendable performance on the part of the electricity employees representing Calcutta Electric Supply Workmens Union and once again came out successful with the flying colours in the election for recognition of union in CESC. 

Despite 1900 members of CESC Workmens Union opted for VRS schedule, the CESC Workmens Union have gained an improved margin of at least 3% more voting in comparison to last election. 

This resounding victory becomes all the more important at the phase of filthy and dirty propaganda carried out by INTUC and AITUC and as such a very stiff and tuff of war to won the battle. 

Electricity Employees Federation of India congratulates the Office-bearers and members of the CESC Workmens Union for this landmark victory  and hope that in future they will  continue to serve the aspirations of electricity employees as well as promote the productivity in the industry. 

The enthusiasm generated through this victory should also be channelised to protect the national interest in the Power Industry.  

2)KSEB Officers’ Association

The major activities of the Association after the last working committee on 12/4/05 were (1) Campaigns against the Electricity Act 2003, (2) Activities under the banner of EEFI and NCCOEEE and (3) Independent activities.

Protest demonstrations - April 20

Demonstrations were held all over Kerala by NCCOEEE, Kerala Unit in protest against the move to unbundled Punjab and Maharashtra SEB’s and the move to privatize Anpara C power station in UP

Campaign for National Strike on May 31^st and June 1^st ‘05

The campaigns among employees as well as general public in preparation to the National Strike were of virulent nature. By the time of issuing strike notice on 16/5/05 all the division level conventions of Officers and Workmen were over. The planned campaigns among public (Public meetings, sit in, Seminars, leaflet distribution etc.) has started. Support of all the mass and class organisations were requested. The participation of officers and workers in all the campaigns were enthusiastic and grew with every passing day.

Consequent to the withdrawal of National strike action, gate meetings were conducted on 20/5/05 at division level office to explain the new situation.

Protest demonstrations – 25/5/05

Demonstrations and meetings were held at division level to protest against the decision for unbundling of Maharashtra SEB and also against the declaration of Minister for Power, GoK on corporatisation of KSEB.

Future campaigns planned by NCCOEEE

An action programme for campaign among public about the anti people provisions in Electricity Act 2003 is worked out. These include Seminars in all Panchayaths to be organized with the help of mass and class organisations.

One Lakh Signature Campaign

Association has conducted a signature collection campaign in support of a memorandum demanding review of National Electricity Policy, Electricity Act 2003 and regulations notified by KSERC. The campaign was conducted during April – May ’05 at around 200 centers in addition to the house to house as well as office level campaigns for collecting the signatures. The response from public was encouraging. The mass memorandum was submitted to the Kerala Governor on 27/5/05. The Hon. Governor Sri. R.L. Bhatia responded against privatisation of power sector, during the interaction.

Agitation on Service related issues

            An agitation demanding timely promotions, stopping vigilance atrocities, stopping outsourcing etc. is going on. Massive satyagrahas of officers is organized on 11/8/05 in all district head quarters.

Houses for Tsunami Victims

            The construction of two houses taken up by the Association as a relief measure for Tsunami affected families were completed in an efficient and time bound manner. This gesture was in addition to the contribution of one day wages towards Chief Ministers distress relief fund. The construction and handing over of houses built by the Association were the first among the scheme evolved by the Government. We could complete the work ahead of the schedule insisted by the authorities. Handing over of the houses were carried over at separate well attended functions in Alappuzha and Kollam districts. Com. V.S. Achuthanandan Hon. Leader of the opposition in Kerala Assembly inaugurated the functions and Com. E. Balanandan, President, EEFI handed over the houses to the beneficiaries. The quality of construction as well as the sincerity shown by the members of the Association was appreciated by one and all.

Training session for Officers

            Training sessions organized by the Association for enriching the professionalism of Officers is going on smoothly. Two more sessions – on supply code & terms and conditions of retail tariff announced by KSERC – were conducted during the period.

Study on Private participation

            C-CAPSS (Centre for Computer Aided Power Sector Studies) sub committee of the Association has taken up a detailed study on “Experience of Private Sector participation in Kerala Power Sector”. The study is expected to be completed during August ’05 and could be a major tool in highlighting failures of private sector. 

3) U.T. Powermen Union Chandigarh

            Gate meetings, Rallies were held before all the Sub-divisions and Division offices as per the decision of EEFI in preparation of 2 days strike on 31/5/05 and 1/6/05 and in support of the strike on 19^th and 20^th April ’05 of PSEB Employees Joint Forum. The Federation of U.T. Employees and workers Chandigarh held rallies before the various offices of Chandigarh Administration and boycott the work from 9 A.M. to 11 A.M. on 19/4/05. These rallies were addressed by various Trade Union leaders of Mass organisations. On the 2^nd day of strike i.e. 20/4/05, U.T. Powermen Union organized a day long Dharna in support of striking PSEB Employees and against Privatisation and unbundling of State Electricity Board.

            Our Union also led the 5 days long Dharna decide by Joint Platform of Mass Organisations (J.P.M.O.) in support of peoples’ issues and demands as well as against the privatisation and massively participated in the day long Dharna. During the Dharna a huge demonstration was held before the office of Municipal Corporation on 16/5/05 and another massive demonstration was held on 20/5/05 in front of Deputy Commissioner Office and a detailed memorandum detailing peoples’ issues were submitted. In the JPMO rallies Electricity Employees strike was also highlighted along with the negative impacts of Electricity Act 2003.

            The preparation for strike was in full swing, when the decision for withdrawal came in. A day long Dharna and procession was held on 1/6/05, in which the whole situation was put up before the Electricity Employees. The Dharna also voiced against the proposal of privatisation and corporatisation of Electricity Department of Chandigarh.

4.PUNJAB

 PSEB Management’s agreement with the Electricity Employees 

Electricity employees in PSEB were in continuous struggle against new liberalisation policies in power sector for last couple of years.  In recent period they were fighting against awarding of contracts in transmission wing and the proposed two days strike on 19^th and 20^th April 2005 which got tremendous support during struggle preparations from fraternal trade union organisations as well as from other mass organisations particularly from peasantry.  Consequent upon the inability of Punjab Government to unbundle PSEB due to continuing PSEB employees struggle, attempts  were made by the government in connivance with the PSEB management to resort awarding meter reading, bill distribution, micro-hydel projects and transmission construction works including providing arrangements for 24 hour supply feeders to rural areas to contractors.   

PSEB Employees fought brilliant struggle against above indirect privatisation and distribution employees in hundreds number used to assemble and chase away the contractors from the strike on as and when such situation used to arise.  On one occasion govt. arrested 300  employees implicated on false cases and 25 among them were put in jail.  Employees conducted successful demonstration in various circle through out the state  breaking  all the police barricades on 11^th and 17^th of June’05 and succeeded in getting released all the employees from jail without any condition and police cases withdrawn. The proposed two days strike of 22^nd and 23^rd June, 05 was withdrawn and agreement was done with the PSEB Management assessing the weakness in the united struggle by vacillating role of JE Council and some other trade unions as well as peasantry’s annoyance with the struggling employees on the issue of obstruction created by them in contract works for providing 24 hour supply to rural areas which indicated that propaganda against liberalisation in electricity sector among the people particularly in rural area was far below the mark and consequent upon people work unable to understand the importance of anti-privatisation struggle.  Under above circumstances agreement done on 21^st June’05 in the office of the Labour Commissioner is as under: 

1.                   The date for unbundling PSEB was shifted for 6 months. The Labour commissioner took the responsibility for arranging  the meeting between the Punjasb Govt. and the struggle committee on the issue of unbundling and privatisation of PSEB.

2.                   To oppose the contract work as well as partial privatisation the employees will have the legal right to conduct Dharna, Demonstration and strike.

3.             To implement the agreements between PSEB Employees Joint forum and PSEB Management   on dated 7^th July 2003 and 27^th October 2004 separate meetings will be held by PSEB Management (such two meetings on 9^th August and 16^th August already materialized.)

4.                   To regularize the services of work charge  employees recruited before 31.12.1992 ( circular issued, 1000 W/C, RLM promoted and become ALM.)

5.                   Labour commissioner undertake meeting with government to restore the preferential appointment to the dependents of the deceased employees or option of taking compensation.

6.                   All  the victimisation during struggle will be vacated and the strike period will be converted into leave. 

7.                   The restrictions imposed on the employees service benefits such as increments, promotions, 9/16 time bound promotional scales,     break in service, pensionery benefits, no work no pay will be withdrawn.  ( issued orders).

8.                   The circular No:120 dated 3^rd May’05 (promotion without test + enhancement in promotion quota) issued to induce JE Council to separate out from two days strike has been withheld and in future any agreement will be held with PSEB employees joint forum.

9.                   The services of all the daily wages employees including thermal plant (Ropar) will be converted into work charge cadres.

10.               Talks will be held on the cut imposed for on thermal generation incentive and whole time. 

Employees resolved to maintain unity and vigilance under PSEB Employees Joint Forum and will be keen to attempt to stop the contract work and anti privatisation drive.