PANJIM, AUG 19
The 48-hour strike call given by over two lakh Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited non-executive employees of the United Forum of BSNL Unions partially paralyzed works in BSNL offices in the State on Wednesday.
Staff at some of the cash collection counters in the State arrived in their respective offices but did not work. Most BSNL offices were also deserted, as many subscribers had to return home without getting their work done.
Internet services, especially broadband were intermittently interrupted, while most faults reported by subscribers remained unattended in all over Canacona taluka.
Sources informed that only a few staffers were seen reporting to work, as others stayed away. The strike will continue on Thursday.
In a press release issued during the first 12 hours of the 48-hour strike from New Delhi, the conglomerate of seven unions led by the largest recognized union of BSNL Employees Union (BSNLEU) claimed success as over two lakh BSNL non-executive employees struck work to demand early wage revision, which is due from January 1, 2007.
The non-executives have been demanding early wage revision, as salaries of ITS and other executive officers of BSNL are already revised, from January 1, 2006 and January 1, 2007 respectively, thereby denying the benefit to non-executives even after two and half years.
The press note further stated that most offices are closed and nobody was available to attend any public grievances. Thousands of workers are also demonstrating in front of major offices and even contract workers have joined the strike call.
