BHARAT SANCHAR NIGAM LTD Vs. CHIEF GENERAL MANAGER

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The prayer in the writ petition is for the issuance of a writ of mandamus to direct the respondents to permit the petitioner union to put up notice boards for communicating its union activities, to conduct meetings inside the office premises after obtaining permission with the authorities concerned, to take up the grievances of its members to the authorities concerned and all democratically permitted privileges available to the recognized and other applicant unions, to the petitioner Union. The petitioner is a Trade Union registered under the Trade Union Act, 1926. The employees of the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) are its members. The petitioner-Union came into existence during the year 2011. According to the petitioner, the BSNL conducts verification process and recognize trade unions, who have 15% of the employees as its members. The last verification took place in the year 2009 and at that time, the petitioner-Union was not in existence.

(2.) It is the contention of the petitioner, that the unions, which did not get recognition also can make representations. In the letter dated 18.2.2009 issued by the General Manager (SR), BSNL C.O., it is stated that even if a representation from the non-recognised union contain issues of vital importance, the same would be taken cognizance of and appropriate action will be taken.

(3.) The grievance of the petitioner is that the petitioner-union had put up Notice Boards at the following nine places, viz..,