40 Years And The Task Ahead

A K Padmanabhan
(CITU All India President)

On the 30th May, 2010, CITU has completed 40 years of its existence – a period of glorious struggler for unity of the working class and creditable achievements. Anyone, who has been associated with the work of CITU during this period can surely be proud of the great sacrifices made by the members, cadres and leaders of CITU in defence of the rights of not only the working class of India but also in defence of the unity and integrity of this country. CITU has also been in the forefront of upholding the banner of proletarian internationalism from the very platform of its foundation conference.

The background

Looking back, any participant in the All India Trade Union Conference held in Kolkata from 28th May, 1970 to 31st May, 2010 will always cherish to remember the proceedings, decisions, mobilisations in connection with this conference. It was in this conference, on 30th May, the historic decision to form a new Central Trade Union was unanimously taken. The decision to hold this All India Conference was not a sudden decision taken by a few individuals. It is there in the pages of history now, that there was a serious and continuous struggle within AITUC, from the early 1960s, on various important issues facing the working people of the country - from the primary issues of wages, dearness allowance and bonus to the ideological and political issues including the approach to the Govt.

It was in this period that dominant leadership of AITUC advocated various new slogans including the two pillar policy and rationalisation without tears. The leadership of AITUC, in those days, blindly supported several actions of the Govt. and even employers, whether in the tripartite bodies or on the conciliation tables. This was happening at a time, when “the working class has been facing continuously ferocious attacks from the employers and Government. Despite increases in total production and productivity their usual wages has been continuously falling.” (Report of Com. P.R).

The Indian economic crisis was deepening and the attack on the workers was continuing. There were struggles all over the country, covering almost all sectors of Indian economy. At the national level, the ruling Congress was getting more and more isolated in the massive and militant struggles by various sections of people against price rise, shortage of food items etc. An intense debate was going on among the political platforms regarding altitude towards the Congress.

Developments in various states led to a situation where Congress got defeated in 8 states in the 1967 general elections. With the formation of 2 Left led Governments in West Bengal and Kerala and non Congress Government led by various grouping including far right parties like Jansangh, Swatantra parties and also regional parties like DMK in Tamilnadu, there were expectations among various sections of people including working class. The difference in approach of the various State Governments. came to the fore at the time of the 1968 September struggle of the Central Government employees. While the Central Government declared a war against its own employees and there were bloodbaths in the capital and other areas, the Left Governments took a strong pro employee position and refused to succumb to the pressure of Government of India.

With the openly declared pro people policies of West Bengal and Kerala Govts. there was a surge in the struggles in those states both by the workers and the rural working people. It should also be noted that both these Govts. declared openly that police forces should not be allowed to intervene in the struggles, as was the practice earlier. While in these states, workers could get a helping hand from the Govt. to intervene in their struggles, much to the chagrin of the employers and anti worker political parties, in other states repression was let loose on workers who were on struggle. Tamilnadu was one such state, where the Govt. of a regional political party which came to power with the support from the toiling masses and which also declared that they ‘wanted to see God, in the smiling faces of poor’ coming down on struggling workers with an iron hand.

Most unfortunately, the leadership of AITUC at this point of time was not prepared to be in the forefront of struggles that were developing all over the country. The leadership had given up class struggle and was upholding the banner of class collaboration.It was against these wrong policies that a section of the leadership both at the National and State levels raised their voice, demanded changes, pressed for democratic functioning of the organisation etc.

The efforts made by the so called minority group of ‘leftists’ to correct the line of the dominant leadership is part of the History. Starting from the 1966 Mumbai Conference of AITUC, series of efforts were made and various proposals were put forth. But even the resolutions for unified functioning adopted by the conferences were ignored.

It was under these circumstances that a meeting of 150 leading Trade Union functionanaries – members of the Working Committee and Central Council and of the State Executive and Councils of AITUC, was held in Goa on 8th and 9th of April, 1970. This meeting of leaders, who were leaders of various unions which had conducted militant struggles and had helped building up the movement, decided that it was no more possible to work within AITUC, and decided to convene an All India Trade Union Conference and to recommend the formation of a new national Trade Union centre.

Lenin Nagar Conference

The venue of the All India Conference which began with the hoisting of flag by Com. Krishna Pada Ghosh, a senior leader of the working class movement in West Bengal, was named as Lenin Nagar, as it was the birth centenary year of Com. Lenin. Com. Jyoti Basu, who was the Chairman of the Reception Committee, in his welcome address, detailed the importance of this Conference. He said “considering the multiplicity of Trade Union centres already existing in India the setting up of another centre may seem to be a divisive act.

But, on the contrary, such a centre has now become a historical necessity as a rallying organisation for the militant working class of India. The AITUC which we all helped to build up with hard work and great sacrifices of our ordinary comrades has been transformed into an instrument of surrender to the bourgeoise and a drag on determined militant struggles, by the revisionists who have seized its leadership and made it their special preserve by undemocratic methods of functioning and keeping out representative unions over which they have no control.”

Stressing the national and international tasks of the working class of India, he stressed the ‘need for a real democratic and revolutionary trade union centre which will lead the working class into militant economic struggles and simultaneously politicise them and prepare them for the struggle for power and rally them in support of the anti-imperialist struggles in all parts of the world.”

Forward to Unity and Struggle

The report to the Conference, presented by Com. P. Ramamurti explained in detail the efforts taken by the organisers of this Conference to ensure proper functioning of AITUC. The report gave details about the militant and successful struggles conducted in this period in various parts of the country and the leading role played by the West Bengal Unions as also Kerala, Tamilnadu and other states. Com. P.R. also explained the pro-people, pro workers initiatives undertaken by the left-Govts., which had been toppled by the union. The conference was being held amid severe repression let loose in both these states.

 

He also outlined the importance of ideological clarity for the Trade Unions. The report rated – “Socialism is the declared aim of the Trade Union movement. We can not go forward towards our goal if the Trade Union movement forgets that its main struggle is against social system – the role of landlords and capitalists. It must direct its fire against the imperialists and chiefly the American imperialists who are trying to enslave our people and impose on them neo-colonial slavery, against the monopolists and landlords who control the main levers of production. The daily struggles of the working class are a part of this general struggle.” In addition to this he underlined the importance of solidarity in the other sections of toiling people, especially the toiling peasantry and agricultural labourers. He also noted the successful efforts taken by the unions, which were participating in the conference, for building up united struggles. He called upon the unions that "such building of unity from below must be intensified hundred fold.” Dwelling at length on the wrong tendencies like bureaucratism, that had crept in some unions represented in the Conference, he exhorted to firmly combat the bureaucratic tendencies and widen the democratic functioning. He noted – “Trade Union democracy does not consist in holding annual elections and in holding periodical meetings of executive committees. We have to draw in every worker, in the running of the union, in shaping of policies, in taking decisions and in implementing them.”

He also reiterated the proposals, he had submitted to the AITUC leadership to unify the unions. These proposals included holding of elections by the joint membership of the existing unions on the basis of proportional representation, democratic functioning of unions and also approval of the executive committee and annual body and matters connected with all workers. On the whole, the report presented by Com. P.R. was not only explaining the situation in trade union movement and in the country, but also a guiding document to the future functioning of the new Trade Union Centre.

A New Trade Union Centre

It was after an elaborate discussion that the resolution on the formation of the new organisation was put before the conference.

Even on the name to be given to the new organisation, there were serious discussions and various suggestions. Finally the new organisation was born – the Centre of Indian Trade Unions, CITU. There were thunderous shouting of slogans CITU Jindabad, workers unity Jindabad and the workers of the world unite. The resolution was moved by Com. Monoranjan Roy and seconded by Com. E.Balanandan.

The Task ahead

In his concluding address Com. B.T.Ranadive, the newly elected President, gave further directions on the tasks ahead. Reminding about the angle, enthusiasm and expectations expressed all through the discussions he exhorted the delegates and leaders to work for ensuing the unity of the working class, with the clearest understanding of upholding class struggles and its supremacy. He underlined the necessity of change in the style of functioning of our unions, ensuring democratic functioning.

Com. BTR said – “We are starting a new organisation with with a new line. We wish to give new orientation to the Trade Union movement. But, for that all leaders of the Trade Union movement, every one of us must change his own consciousness; must be determined to give up the old consciousness and the old practice; then alone will we be able to carry in concrete terms a correct struggle against reformist line of all others.” He also reminded the delegates – “Some people might concentrate their fire on revisionists and forget the main enemies. This will be inexcusable……. we fight reformism, we fight revisionism, we fight every such tendency, early because our common class struggle against one main enemy is hampered.” Com. BTR further elaborated the necessity of strengthening unity by saying – “This is the time, when working class demands unity, this is the time when working class on its own thinks that unless it is united, the offensive can not be met. This is the time when our organisation must jump into the fray and tell every one, here is the banner of unity, of common action , joint action.”

The last forty-years

With the message of class unity and class struggle and banner of united movement, CITU has marched ahead. From a membership of 8,04,657 CITU has grown into an organisation of 51,45,387.

This we all understand is not at all enough and we have miles to go. But, the issues that were raised in the foundation conference were taken seriously by the organisation; despite many organisational weaknesses, which CITU has identified and is in the process of rectifying, CITU had advanced not only in its membership but also on various other tasks like taking up the issues of unorganised workers, women workers, public sector, united movements, solidarity with struggles at national and international levels. 

These forty years have been years of sacrifice, advance and achievements. The unity of Central Trade Unions on issues of national importance which we have been able to achieve during the last few months have to be consolidated at the grass root level, so that the struggle is further carried forward.

The 13th conference of CITU at Chandigarh has cut out our task ahead and in the coming days, we will do all that has to be done, to attain the goals,defined by our foundation Conference.

FORTY YEARS OF CITU

On 30th May, 2010, CITU completed 40 years of its existence. The role of CITU in the Indian Trade Union movement has been remarkable since then. CITU advocated the concept of strengthening of class struggle to protect the interests of the working class and the people.

CITU UNDER ATTACK

Immediately after the formation of CITU, It had to face several attacks by the Government and a section of the trade unions to isolate CITU. However, CITU remained firm and steadfast in championing the cause of the working class and the path of class struggle. Also CITU advocated the need to change the social system of capitalism based on the exploitation of the working class and fight for achieving the goal of establishing of a socialist system which alone can bring basic changes in the working and living conditions of the working class. The CITU called upon the working class to participate in the political struggle so that the capitalist policies to loot the people for increasing the profits of the Corporate Sector are firmly opposed by the trade union movement.

Immediately after the formation of the CITU, a big attack was made on the steel workers at Durgapur and a bitter long drawn struggle was launched by Durgapur Steel Plant and Alloy Steel Plant workers under the leadership of CITU unions there braving onslaughts and making immense sacrifice. The CITU organised countrywide solidarity action in support of the Durgapur workers.

The historic twenty-day long strike by the railway workers in 1974, braving all victimisations, repressions and atrocities, had been the most important event of united working class action soon after the birth of CITU, which played an important role in bringing back the major part of the trade union movement in the country in the trajectory of united countrywide struggle. The NCTU line of collaboration and cooperation with the Govt got explosed. The National Coordination Committee for Railwaymen’s Struggle (NCCRS), which led the strike, emerged as the broadest industry-based platform of unity for action of the railway workers, involving also the major central trade unions except the INTUC, at that point of time. CITU played frontline role in organising solidarity with the striking railway workers braving all repression and onslaught. CITU also organised legal aid in a big way for the victimised railway workers besides other forms of relief and support. The railway strike of 1974 had not only reflected the massive unity of the railway workers, irrespective of affiliations, but also had far-reaching impact in reorienting the united movement of the entire working class as a whole and also on the then political development.

DURING EMERGENCY DAYS

Due to the brazen pro-capitalist policies pursued by the Indira Gandhi Government and consequent acute economic sufferings of the toiling people resulted in wide-spread massive struggles of the people against the policies of Indira Gandhi Government.

Indira Gandhi, seeing the growing instability of her own government, declared National Emergency on 25thJune 1975. Several opposition leaders were arrested and detained behind bars without any trial. The trade union movement was suppressed and not allowed to have any activity in the country. A strict censorship was imposed on the newspapers. Without clearance from the Govt. officials, no article could be published in the news papers. CITU had to get clearance from the Court to publish ILO Conventions on Freedom of Association and for right to collective bargaining. The Censoring Officer did not allow to publish even an article written by Dimitrov during 1930s. It could only be published with the court directive.

Taking advantage of the emergency, the Government brought a Bill in Parliament bringing down the minimum payment of Bonus from 8.33% to 4%. The CITU opposed this Bill and Members of Parliament expressed their views in Parliament. CITU actively supported the broader peoples’ struggle against the emergency rule throughout the country with Jayprakash Narayan at the forefront.

In the emergency period, strike was banned. Even legitimate trade union activities were not permit. CITU lodged complaint to the International Labour Organisation against the government's steps to suppress the trade union movement. In several industries, the wages of the workers were frozen and the government did not allow any wage rise despite rise in prices of essential commodities. In the year 1977, government was forced to withdraw the emergency and in the elections, Indira Gandhi government was squarely defeated and the Government led by Morarji Desai was formed which was the first non-congress government at the centre since Independence. Indira Gandhi herself lost the elections and the people gave a verdict against the emergency and the CITU welcomed this development.

The strength of the CITU and other trade unions increased sizably despite emergency restrictions. The end of the emergency was an end of a shameful chapter in the history of trade Union movement.

Experience of United Struggle

The phase of united countrywide struggle both at national level and at industry level have become a regular phenomenon in the trade union movement of the country mainly after emergence of CITU which played an important role in channelising the trade union movement in the trajectory of joint countrywide movement on policy issues. And for maintenance of continuity of such process of united struggle, independent initiatives on certain crucial issues facing the trade union movement and certain turning points also played an important and cementing role.

In the coal workers’ sixth round wage negotiation in 2000, CITU had to take a dissenting role, in view of other unions taking a pro-management role in signing an anti-worker MOU. Following that MOU, CITU had to go for three days’ strike in coal industry single-handedly in November 2000, which was responded to massively by the workers of all unions and ultimately the anti-worker MOU had to be scrapped and renegotiated. And this single handed initiative paved the way for united movement by all the unions in coal industry in subsequent phases. Recently, all the federations in coal industry jointly decided for a three days strike action on 5th to 7th May 2010 against disinvestment and outsourcing from a joint convention held on 27th March 2010.

But subsequently following two phases of meeting with the Coal Minister and Finance Minister, the leadership of three major federations withdrew themselves from the strike programme although in both the meetings, both the ministers reiterated the decision for disinvestment in coal India. In that situation CITU went ahead with the strike action in coal industry on 5th May 2010. Although leaders of some of the federations backtracked from committed strike action, workers en masse, much beyond the support base of CITU federation joined the strike action of 5th May in a big way declaring their resolve to resist disinvestment in coal India Ltd.

Similar situation erupted in the current phase of wage negotiation in steel industry where CITU had to go for two days strike in public steel plants against pro-management MOU signed by some other unions in 2009 which received overwhelming response from the mass of the workers resulting pro-worker changes in the wage agreement.

In the current phase of wage negotiations in PSUs, joint struggle by the public sector unions under the banner of CPSTU compelled the Govt of India to change their directive for 10 year tenure of wage agreement for the workers. But at the time of industry level negotiations, in certain PSUs, some of the unions succumbed to the pressure of management for signing agreement with 10 year tenure.

CITU refrained from signing such agreement with 10 years tenure in most of the places despite remaining alone in the negotiating forum. CITU considers signing of ten-year agreement a surrender to management’s ploy and also surrender of the achievement earned through united struggle. CITU prefers not to compromise on such principle issues even running the risk of temporary set-back and is confident that the vacillating unions will ultimately realise the blunder committed by them.

Without such principled stand on certain issues facing the movement and consistent struggle based on those principles, trade union movement cannot be kept on right track, nor the unity based on unprincipled compromise can ever be sustained.

Independent struggles

There had been occasions when CITU had to go alone to defend the interests of the working class. In the year 1971, when the Congress Govt. introduced Family Pension Scheme, CITU published a booklet “Family Pension Scheme – A Hoax” which was translated in several languages. Other Central Trade unions welcomed the Scheme but CITU pointed out that workers pay more and receive less in the Scheme. The Govt. had a net balance of Rs.14000 crores when the scheme was wound up to be replaced by the Employees Pension Scheme 1995.

On the Employees Pension Scheme introduced in 1995, the CITU again opposed the scheme on the same ground that whatever is being taken away from the workers for the pension fund, workers will not get back even a small fraction of their own contribution in the form pension. Moreover, CITU had shown through its publication containing detail calculation that the scheme based on funding proposed by the Govt cannot be sustainable and workers will stand to lose further.

CITU demanded the scrapping of the scheme and demanded introduction of pension scheme as a third retirement benefit in addition to PF and Gratuity. However, other Central Trade Unions supported the Govt and CITU had to fight virtually alone. CITU along with a few other unions went for one day strike against the scheme which received good response among the mass of the workers. Present status of the Employees Pension Scheme and the meagre return received by the workers has proved every assessment of CITU made during the introduction of the scheme. Over and above the Govt of the day has made unilateral change in the scheme by way of reducing the benefits further exercising the power under the relevant legislation which was once supported unconditionally by all the Central Trade unions except CITU. The Steel workers Federation of India fought in the Supreme Court pointing out the shortcomings of the scheme, but could not succeed. Now after long drawn experience all the Central Trade Unions have become critical of the scheme.

STRENGTHENING PROLETARIAN INTERNATIONALISM

Indian Trade Union movement is a part of the world wide struggle of the working class against capitalist exploitation. In the foundation Conference itself, CITU advocated strong international solidarity of the working class.

It had developed friendly ties with WFTU. However, in eighties when WFTU advocated de ideologisation of the working class and gave up struggle against imperialist machinations, CITU strongly voiced its opposition against such approach. However, since Havana Congress of WFTU, there has been change in the policies of WFTU which spoke against imperialism and advocated class struggle as the bedrock of WFTU policies. The CITU welcomed this shift in policies and strengthened ties of friendship with WFTU and also has taken leading role in many of its wing organisation's such as TUI-Energy, TUI-Steel, TUI-Public Services etc.

CITU also developed ties of friendship with Trade unions viz ACTU of Australia, KCTU of South Korea, COSATU of South Africa, CUT of Brazil, KMU of Philippines, Zenroren of Japan, CGT of France who are outside the framework of WFTU.

It is playing a prominent role in the activities of Southern Initiative on Globalisation and Trade Union Rights (SIGTUR) which fights against imperialism and Globalisation.

CITU hosted two SIGTUR Conferences in Kolkata and Kochi which were very successful. CITU is playing an important role in International Energy and Miners Organisations. Though International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) does not fight globalisation and imperialist machinations, many of their affiliates who are pursuing anti-globalisation and anti-imperialism lines are keeping close relations with CITU and maintaining regular exchanges of delegations and interactions.

The CITU Conferences are attended by larger and larger number of International organisations and CITU has developed bilateral ties with more than 40 countries in all the four continents. The CITU delegates attending ILO meetings are championing the cause of trade unions in developing countries and strengthen the ties of friendship with all trade unions that take anti imperialist positions and fight against the policies of neoliberal globalisation.

LOOKING FORWARD TO A BRIGHT FUTURE

The decision of the CITU’s 13th Conference at Chandigarh to increase the membership to 75 lakhs by the next conference is a big challenge before us. We have to pay more attention to the work among the unorganised sector workers. Major section of them is yet to be organised in the trade union movement.

We must also take special initiative in organising the contract workers whose number has been increasing every day in all the industries. We also have to strengthen our activities among the core sector of economy such as financial, energy, transport and communication sectors whose striking power against capitalist operation are of great significance. We cannot meet the capitalist offensive effectively unless we give more emphasis in strengthening our organisation and struggles in weaker areas. The prestige of our movement is stronger areas cannot be lasting unless we make advancement in the weaker areas. If we give more emphasis on organising local struggles in these areas, possibilities of growing are immense.

We have to further improve our work among the working women and involve them more and more in trade union activities. It is possible to increase the percentage of our women membership much beyond 30 per cent in the next three years. There is urgent need to streamline and improve our organisational framework at all levels to expand the intervening capacity of the trade union movement. Directions and guidelines of the Bhubaneshwar resolution need to be specially emphasised and implemented. Alertness by all our leading bodies to pressing issues of the working class and reflect them in our activities would result in faster expansion of the movement. We must fully harness the growing urge among the working class for unity and united struggles.

We must pay more attention to heighten the level of ideological and political understanding of our cadres. We must pay full attention to implement the decisions of 13th Conference of CITU in this regard. Year long education campaign at all the level of our organisation as decided by the 13th Conference must be taken up with all seriousness as a part of observance of 40th Anniversary year of CITU.

Our struggle against erroneous ideologies within the working class movement must be strengthened so that correct class ideologies are percolated among the mass of the working class all over India.

Popularisation of socialist ideology among the working class is of paramount importance today when capitalism is making strenuous efforts to sow illusions among the workers. The project of P Ramamurty Memorial Trade Union School will have to be completed at the earliest for which support of the mass off the working people is solicited by CITU. The working class and trade union movement in India must move forward with revolutionary orientation. The CITU has to play a crucial role in achieving this goal.

Let us move forward to a bright future

Working class and the people of India can decide their own destiny if they are united, ideologically equipped and determined to fight for changes for a bright future.

(Extracts from CITU publication)

Withdraw Higher Licence Fee for BSNL : CPIM

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) strongly disapproves the discriminatory order of the Department of Telecommunications to BSNL directing it to pay higher licence fee for 3 G spectrum than the private operators.

While the private operators have been asked to pay the licence fee on their income, the BSNL has been asked to pay on its revenue. This will put additional burden on the premier public sector undertaking amounting several thousand crores of rupees.

The Polit Bureau demands withdrawal of this unjust order of the DoT and allow BSNL to pay licence fee at par with private sector operators.

This development once again underlines the pro-private sector stance of the UPA government, in general, and Telecommunication Minister A. Raja, in particular, which should be resolutely opposed by all those who want to defend the public sector.

EMS centre in Bangalore inaugurated

‘Globalisation promoting use-and-throw culture : V S Achuthanandan

Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan on Monday expressed concern that the new economic policies of globalisation were promoting a “use-and-throw” culture with respect to hiring of employees for industries and the IT sector.

Speaking after inaugurating the EMS Bhavan built in honour of the legendary Communist leader and former Kerala Chief Minister E.M.S. Namboodiripad by the A.K. Gopalan Memorial Social Education Trust, in Bangalore, Mr. Achuthanandan said such policies had more influence in Bangalore which had a large number of industrial workforce and IT employees. He stressed the need for having permanent jobs and incentives instead of promoting use-and-throw culture. It was possible to strengthen the influence and scope of the Leftist progressive movements by campaigning against such new kind of exploitations, he noted. Referring to Karnataka, he said it was a State where religion, caste and identity politics were deeply rooted. EMS Bhavan Managing Trustee G.N. Nagaraj pointed out that the Bhavan was being inaugurated on Monday to mark the 101th birth anniversary of the late EMS. He said the Bhavan with an area of 6,000 square feet had been built at a cost of about Rs. 1 crore collected from the working class.

The main intention was to turn the Bhavan into a Study Centre for progressive social struggles and a training centre for activists of such movements. The Bhavan will also house a research centre in which the State's social, economical, political and cultural conditions will be studied in an unbiased manner.

CPI(M) State Secretary V.J.K. Nair, who is also honorary secretary of the trust, remarked that the Bhavan with its study and research centres would turn out to be a university for studying the condition of farmers, working class and oppressed sections.

Becoming VC in Karnataka is a tragedy: U R Ananthamurthy

“Becoming a vice-chancellor in any university in Karnataka now is a tragedy,” Jnanpith Award winner and former vice-chancellor U.R. Ananthamurthy remarked, hinting at increasing “political interference” and “lack of freedom” in the education sector.

Participating in a programme here on Monday to mark the inauguration of the EMS Bhavan, Prof. Murthy, who served as vice-chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi University in Kottayam in Kerala, recalled that none of the politicians interfered with his work. “I had total freedom. In fact, I had even gone to the extent of criticising some of the stands and ideological views of the Communist party there. But those leaders were open to such a dialogue. The maximum limit to which they went was to tell me that they like me, but not all my writings. This is a proof to show that it was possible to have a healthy dialogue there.” “In Karnataka, the situation is too bad,” he added

(Courtesy : The Hindu, Mangalorean.com)