BPCL privatisation: Trade unions planning a long-drawn struggle

New Delhi: A document that has emerged from a national convention of trade unions of oil public sector undertakings (PSUs) held in Mumbai has showed that employee unions across the sector are planning a long-drawn struggle to oppose the privatisation of BPCL and HPCL.

"The convention has appealed to the workers of BPCL and HPCL to come forward irrespective of affiliation and take part in the action programmes. The convention also appealed to the entire oil and petroleum PSU workers to extend active solidarity and support to the action programmes," the document accessed by PSU Watch said. The national convention was held in Mumbai on October 26. It witnessed participation from Petroleum Workers Union Southern Region, Numaligarh Refinery Employees Union, Petroleum Workers Union Northern Region, Bharat Petroleum Contract Workers Union, ONGC BOP Karmachari Sanghatana, HPCL Employees' Union Vishakhapatnam, Petroleum Employees Association BPCL, Kochi, All India Petroleum Workers Union, Mumbai, HPCL, Petroleum Retired Employees Welfare Association, Petroleum Employees Union and Kerala Petroleum & Gas Workers Union (CITU).

BPCL Privatisation: Unions to serve strike notice on Nov 11

While appealing to the 10 Central Trade Unions and National Federations and Confederations' Joint Platform to extend support to the instant anti-privatisation struggle of Oil and Petroleum workers, the convention said that unions will serve a strike notice on November 11.

All-India protests to start from Nov 11

The trade unions will observe 'All India Protest Week' by organising rallies, processions, gate meetings jointly by permanent and contract workers from November 11 to 17. "Massive postering and distribution of leaflets amongst workers, their family members and general public (will be undertaken)," the document said.

Another national convention on Nov 20

The unions are planning another National Convention of Petroleum Workers from all the Oil and Petroleum PSUs at New Delhi on November 20. The convention will be addressed by Central Trade Unions' Leaders and Members of Parliament, the unions said. They added that a day-long dharna will also be observed at the gate of all the refineries, regional headquarters and all other work locations of BPCL and HPCL throughout India on November 26.

"In the unfortunate event of the Central government going forward with privatisation of oil PSUs, multiple-days strike action shall be decided at appropriate time to stop privatisation by all means," the statement said.