40th Anniversary of WBSEB Workmen's Union

July 2006 - December 2006 Index

40th Anniversary of WBSEB Workmen's Union

WBSEB Workmen’s union has taken up the pioneering role in the struggle of not only the electricity workers of west Bengal but also in the greater arena of struggle of the working class with its ideological and objective base. This year, 2006, is being cherished by the electricity workers as the gallant 40th anniversary of the union through year-long programme to be participated by the members, consumers and the common people.

The struggle of electricity workers had to face lot of hindrances. It was a time when the electricity workers’ movement did not get its solidarity since inception of WBSEB in the year 1955. In those days, the struggle of the electricity workers used to take place spontaneously on several issues which did not oftenly get organised shape. Before formation of WBSEB Workmens’ union, the largest union in WBSEB was WBSEB Worker’s Union under the umbrella of which more than 95% of the workers’ were united. But a portion of leadership of that union tried to conduct the in undemocratic manner ignoring wishes of the workers. The course of class struggle was dispensed with by those leadership. The adopted the course of class-cooperation with the-then ruling congress party. At that time the portion of leadership which had the desire for guiding the electricity workers in proper way of class struggle, continued their efforts for uniting the workers through inner struggle against the undemocratic attitude of the derailed leadership. In the course of such struggle, the sincere organizers had to face lot of tortures of the ruling party in connivance of the derailed leadership.

A time came when there was no other alternative but to form separate organisation of the electricity workers of WBSEB for the purpose of properly organizing the workers in the way of class struggle for achieving the demands as well as protection of rights of the workers vis-à-vis the improvement of working conditions. With this object, a historic convention was held on 2^nd September, 1967 at Netaji Subhash Institute of Sealdah at Kolkata with a mammoth gathering of some thousand of electricity workers and a body named as Joint Struggle Council was formed which took up a concrete programme with Charter of Demands for placement before the WBSEB authority. Virtually, the date of formation of JSC is taken as the date of formation of WBSEB Workmen’s Union though the union started formal functioning after registration in its name some months later.

In the last four decades the electricity workers got massive victory in several big struggle facing lot of hurdles uniting all the workers and for this, the organizes had to face severe tortures by the ruling class. In the days semi-fascist terrors of congress regime in the year from 1971-77 the electricity workers rights were curtailed. There was no pay revision, no bonus. At that time 50% D.A. freezing was impose. Rights of rally, meetings, assembly, postering, were absolutely curtailed. The press censorship was also imposed on our Organ “Sathi Hatiar” in the days of emergency promulgated by Govt. Of India in the year 1975. On the whole, the union got successful in keeping its existence amongst the semi fascist regime. It is matter of great pride that the union raised the slogan for turning WBSEB as a Pro-People Industry”. But the Congress rulers stood against materializing the slogan. At the time the power scenario of West Bengal was worst. More than 15 hours load shedding was a common daily feature. No suggestion of the Union for improvement of the situation was accepted by the Govt.

In 1997 when the Left front came to power, the situation has been changed through democratic atmosphere throughout the state of West Bengal. LF Govt. stood beside materializing the Union’s slogan for building up WBSEB as a pro-people’s industry. Through all out effort of electricity workers all level under leadership of WBSEB Workmen’s union, commendable development has been achieved in the area of generation, transmission and distribution of electricity facing all odds created by the disrupting forces. It is the greatest achievement of WBSEB that this organisation has become successful with earning profit this year overcoming the recurring position of massive amount of loss in the past. This success has become also possible with the ceaseless effort of electricity workers of all levels behind which the union took the main initiative role.

In achieving the demands of the workers, the Union played the champion’s role. Pay0revision for four times, implementation of Senior scale, Career Advancement Scheme, Assured Promotion Scheme, Profit linked Ex-gratia and achievement of several other demands have become possible for contribution of this union in the struggle.

The Union played the pioneering role in launching massive struggle against enactment of Electricity Act,2003 since its placement as Electricity Bill 2000 and subsequently 2001 in the parliament forming all out unity of electricity workers, engineers and officers under the banner of NCCOEEE.

To cherish the glorious contribution of the union to commemorate he contributions of its founder organizers, it has been decided for launching different programmes year long for observance of 40^th anniversary such as, organizing GB Meetings, Trade Union Class, Blood donation and health checkup camp, Aids Awareness programme, Sports, Recitation and music competition etc., in which the employees of all levels of WBSEB & WBPDCL will participate. The inaugurating programme has already taken place on 2^nd September’06 through hoisting of CITU Flag and garlanding the martyrs’ tomb in Mohit Moitra Bhaban and also in all the 750 Units. In the evening of the day a meeting was held with mass gathering with presence of our founder organizers. The terminating programme of 40^th anniversary will take place on a day of September, 2007 with Seminar and cultural performance. The union has also taken up the initiative for publication of the History of the unions’ formation and a special issue of its organ Sathi Hatiar on 40^th anniversary


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