By Khalid Bhatti 26/05/2005
7000 Telecom Workers stormed in the PTCL Head Quarters
The negotiations failed again, as the management is not serious to resolve the issues. The management offered just 8% increase in wages , 3months leave encashment and few jobs for sons of deceased workers, which unions rejected. The negotiations continued for 4 hours. The main purpose of these negotiations by the management was to force the leadership to postpone the public meeting in the head quarters today. Few leaders were in favor to postpone the public meeting, but majority rejected this proposal.
The management wants to delay the negotiations that they can break the unity of workers to force them to accept an agreement, which will not solve any issue. The radical faction led by SMP and TURC-P members have been able to keep the action committee intact. The public meeting in Islamabad is still continuing from 7 hours. 7000 workers are listening the speeches of their leaders in the scorching heat. The mood is very radical and workers want to go out for an indefinite strike. The decision in regard will be taken in the meeting after the public meeting.
The management tried to use force in the morning, they call at least 1500 police men to stop workers from entering the head quarters of the company. They also tried to spread harassment in the workers that they should not participate in this important meeting. They also sealed the head quarters and closed down all the entrance gates. Police was not allowing any worker to enter into the head quarters. Azad Qadri Organizing Secretary TURC-P and National deputy secretary general of Lions Unity was the first leader, which enter in head quarters. Police tried to stop him and 300 workers , but they broke down the gates and force the police to move away from gates.
This was the beginning of the flood of workers, which followed 7000 workers marched through the head quarters and completely paralyzed the work. 3 SMP, 4TURC-P members spoke in the public meeting. The leaflet was also distributed.
Azam Janjuah Organizer TURC-P Islamabad