Delay In Wage Revision

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Writes On Delay In Wage Revision

Dear Comrades,

On the backdrop of the recent developments in the industrial relations in Banking industry as well as in our bank, we are forced to ask some questions to the leadership who think that we are all fools:

1) What are the charter of demands for wage and bipartite settlements submitted by the federation at industry level as well as at SBI. (we need clear and comprehensive facts and figures, not vague reply as usual). What are the issues already settled and what are the pending issues?

2) If Union leaders were really sincere in their efforts, why did not they submit the charter of demands well in advance and start negotiations with IBA? Leaders are interested more in showing their importance and collecting huge amount as levy which is used for their personal comforts and hence prolonging the process.

3) Why UFBU has agreed for the merger of DA at a lower level as on 01/11/2011 instead of 1/11/2012? This will result in reduction of our basic pay and hence will reduce allowances and arrears. We know that this is mutually agreed upon by IBA and UFBU leaders to make fool of the innocent members and public in general boasting the percentage of hike in salaries (This is a clear case of cheating members). In the first place, why UFBU had agreed on this when IBA was not ready to disclose the percentage of hike in resultant basic pay?

4) Why are you silent on 5 day banking? What is your stand on the issue?

5) The Union leaders should be penalised for the delay in wage settlement as it is a clear demonstration of their incapability. So forget about levy this time. Don't even utter the word.

6) We all common members in all the banks believe that the strike on 19th December is an adjustment between IBA and UFBU and an attempt to make fools of us. Leaders want to prove that they are fighting for us and IBA is trying to convince their political bosses that they are under pressure, where as the pact is already made by both.

7) If at all you are serious it should have been an indefinite strike or on 23 and 24 december 2013 and not an 1 day. 

And the Federation leaders have to answer the following questions as well.

1) If there is no bipartite agreement between SBI management and Federation in the case of New Pension System (NPS) and Customer Assistants, how management is implementing these policies? Would it have been possible in any other organisation with an able trade union?

2) Why federation is hiding facts from members on these issues and why not fighting against management as these are clear violations of employee rights? We clearly understand that you are silent because the top leadership is enjoying undue favours from the management. It is evident that the federation leadership is hand in glove with management from the way in which federation helped management to implement these anti employee policies.

3) Why suddenly introduction of Customer Assistant without any career progression or bipartite settlement? Is it not a conspiracy by management and federation to squeeze maximum out of low cost junior level employees (as fondly called by former Chairman) with meager compensation. 

4) As in most of the branches, the duties of Senior Assistants are carried out by Assistants, why Federation did not attempt to reduce the eligibility criteria for Senior assistants if you were so much concerned about the juniors. If out of cadre promotion can be given in 2 years of service, why not SA for the eligible candidates?

5) Why there is no uniformity in implementation, if at all CA is good for the juniors, as explained by some of you? Why staff with same eligibility is not made CA irrespective of their place of posting? Won't other trade unions laugh at you, if they came to know about these anomalies in a PSU with a strong trade union?

6) Do the bank offer Family pension to post 2010 recruits who come under NPS. If not, what other compensations are there for the family of the deceased? Will there be any compensation element in the salary in 10th BPS or at bank level settlement to compensate for the contribution they make towards NPS, as in their case, bank's liability ends with retirement and no provision has to be made for paying pension and DA on pension. Why the Special pay component is not considered for NPS contribution where as the circular clearly states that it will be calculated for superannuation benefits?

7) Is Customer Assistant post a promotion or a tool in the hands of management for exploiting the juniors as per their requirements? Why the threat incorporated is not withdrawn till date? Why it is irrevocable if signed by us and revocable by management as per the place of posting and their requirement? 

Don't you contempt the discontinuation of computer loan to the staff?

And our beloved Circle leaders must answer more.......

1) Why Circle leadership forced members to sign the application for NPS and Customer Assistants, when the federation has not signed any agreement? You have surrendered the advantageous positions you were in negotiating with the management and acted as agents of management to implement these anti employee policies. 

2) The only positive in the balance sheet of the present circle leadership is the case filed in the Hon. High court of Kerala. That too because of the untiring efforts by our young comrades who have done the ground work and submitted all the relevant legal points and compelled the leadership to act upon that. Running away from responsibilities to take up other important issues citing that we have already taken a huge burden in NPS case, is an act of cowardice. It seems that the very purpose and essence of trade unionism is not understood by these leaders as they avoid confronting management even on genuine issues, which has resulted in the present situation at Circle level.

3) Our young comrades in LCPC are suffering for so many years now because of the ill treatment of the management. It is Union leadership who is responsible for this situation, as they have allowed every anti employee movement by the management 
including outsourcing and was a party to intimidate our comrades in their revenge on the stand our brave comrades took on NPS issue. 

4) There is widespread discontent in the members of the sales teams on many issues, which are highlighted to the leadership from time to time. Why leadership is silent on these issues?

5) Why the delay in conducting General Council where as it should be conducted before March 2014? Does not the leadership feel it necessary to convince the members about the reason for the delay? Or is it an attempt to continue in the coveted seats as many days as you can without facing the ire of the common members? 

When these important issues were giving sleepless nights to common members and they were being threatened and harassed by Management as well as some miscreant Union leaders alike, you people at the top leadership were busy in sending anonymous letters to the members and strengthening groups for your personal victories. In the process, you people have made our beloved Union a mockery in front of the management and yourselves, a laughing stock. This has given immense guts to the management and resulted in management taking unilateral decisions in postings and transfers where you had some control.

If these issues were addressed aptly and on time as and when they occurred and reported by the cadre, We would not have been in this position. But your inability and incapability as well as callousness have resulted in such a grave situation. And there is no point in doing some gimmicks and any further attempts to do eyewash acts will only result in further fury from common members.

So be honest and stop fooling us and act like responsible leaders at least for the sake of monthly contribution we make which ensures your comforts day and night. 

And to our dear colleagues and comrades, 

When these are the ground realities, why again and again we should tolerate such eye washes and give these morons courage to make our lives worse than ever. 

This is not an attempt to weaken the Union, but to strengthen it and to start the cleansing process for the sake of all of us. We can not allow handful of some selfish and characterless people to ruin our SBSU. 

There are many more issues and points which can be added to these. Please contribute and express your views and opinions to strengthen this movement.