A flashback on struggles fought in difficult situations for 42 years and gains achieved in permanent interests of LIC employees
The emergence of a new force
14th November 1972. On this day emerged a new force with the banner of “All India LIC Employees Federation”. The glamorous event at Sunderabai Hall in Mumbai was projected by the newly opened Doordarshan, the first telecast of a trade union event in India. The obvious choice for the chief posts of president and general secretary was – Com. S. M. Banerjee and Com. P. P. Patil. And began a new roaring stream of movement with great vigour, vitality and new vistas. At Jamshedpur conference in 1989, Com. Gurudas Dasgupta, M. P. took over as president and Com. A. V. Nachane as general secretary.
The Second World War broke out and the prices of essential commodities began shooting up. Mumbai’s textile workers fought 40-day strike battle, demanding ‘dearness allowance’. Drawing inspiration from them ‘Oriental’ employees took the lead in submitting first collective representation for DA in July 1941. But nobody could volunteer to be the first signatory as he was sure to be sacked. They thereafter discovered that in Geometry there is a figure of circle which has no beginning and no end. That was how the representation was made in a circular way. And they won DA of Rs. 3.50 per month.