Mahadev Adsul, general secretary of the All Unions and Associations of BSNL, addresses a state-level conference in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
The unions will first observe a symbolic one-day nationwide strike on Nov 20. He said BSNL employees continue to work on pay scales that are nearly 20 years old. “The recommendations for officers’ wage revision were forwarded nearly 10 years ago. For employees, the wage agreement was signed between unions and management in Oct 2025 and sent to the Department of Telecommunications for approval. BSNL is not working only for profit, but is rendering national service by bridging the digital divide and installing towers even in remote villages with only 10-20 households,” he said. “Representations will be submitted to MPs, ministers and governors, followed by nationwide agitation and a symbolic one-day strike on Nov 20.
Because of BSNL’s financial position, state president Ranjan Dani said employees should not be denied a revision. If the demand is not met, an indefinite strike will be launched,” Adsul said.
If their demand remains unresolved, they will proceed with an indefinite strike, AUAB general secretary Mahadev Adsul said. However, DoT has been delaying the decision, leading to widespread resentment,” Adsul said. AUAB said the present agreement expires in Dec, making an early decision necessary. Adsul said employees could not be blamed for service-related problems affecting the company’s revenue. “Despite adverse conditions, staff helped increase revenue from Rs 18,000 crore to Rs 20,000 crore, but their contribution is overlooked,” he said.
Adsul was speaking at a statewide conference of major BSNL unions and associations in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Annual increments of thousands of employees have also stopped. “It is unfair to withhold revision citing BSNL’s losses.