Sandeep Akhouri writes on Facebook (Link Given Below)
(Also read Views of Debojit Dutta Given at Bottom)
Let us first read two short messages sent by two top leaders :-
(a) C H Venkatachalam, Gen. Secretary, AIBEA : The proposed 4 days continuous strike by 10 lacs bank employees under the banner of United Forum of Bank Unions has been put on hold and deferred. During the last round of meeting held on 6th instant, IBA improved their offer of wage increase from Rs. 3465 crores to Rs. 3938 crores i.e. from 11% to 12.5%. Though it is not an acceptable offer, since IBA offered further improvements during further negotiations, the proposed strike on 7th instant was deferred. Further discussions have continued in the Sub-Committees on 14th and 19th instants wherein issues other than wage increase and pertaining to other service”.
(b) Harvinder Singh of AIBOC : "Four days strike put on hold as IBA promised to resolve the salary revision issues by the first week of Feb 2015. If no satisfactory outcome is reached fresh strike dates for 4/5 days in the month of February would be announced. Circular follows”.
An Analysis of Above Message
The above two messages clearly indicates that IBA refused to talk on the issue of hike in pay slip component, which at present is offered at 12.5%. UFBU unilaterally decided to put on hold (other word for cancellation ) the 4 day strike for which bankers have been waiting for 2 years, so as to build some genuine pressure on the IBA / GoI. In the blame game, some reports are coming where each union is blaming others for pressing for cancellation of the strike.
(ii) IBA has merely orally promised to resolve the issue by first week of February, 2015. All UFBU units appears to have taken this as gospel truth, and accepted the same bowing before the Almight IBA.
No Lessons Learnt from Past by UFBU :
Some of the readers have mentioned in the comments column that my attitude is negative towards unions, and thus trying to misguide younger generation of employees. They have every right to hold their opinion as I have every right to write freely and frankly my views. Let me take my readers one year back i.e. January 2014.
· In UFBU circular dated 17th January, 2014 (while deferring the strike announced for 20th and 21st January, 2014) has written “………. IBA also reiterated that they would expedite the negotiations and conclude the Settlement by June, 2014,…………Looking to their (IBA) improved offer and assurance to expedite the settlement, it was decided to defer our agitational programme and proposed strike action on 20th and 21st January, 2014”. (UFBU leaders and our readers can read the full circular at the link given below : http://aiboc.org/wp-cont…/uploads/…/01/aiboc-cir-2014-07.pdf )
Let our readers decide whether I am pessimistic or UFBU leaders are over-optimistic of IBA’s words.
Let us see some more extracts from UFBU circulars of 2014 :
· Based on the negotiations held on 13th June, 2014, UFBU came with a circular dated 16th June, 2014, where it was stated “….. Since UFBU refused to accept the IBA’s offer of 11% increase, IBA wanted to know the expectation of the UFBU for which it was informed that our minimum expectation is 25% increase in the Pay Slip components
cost.” (http://aiboc.org/wp-content/uploads/…/10/aiboc-2014-42-1.pdf )
· In circular dated 27th June, 2014, UFBU has informed “Accordingly, the delegation of UFBU met Shri Arun Jaitley, Hon‟ble Minister of Finance, today in New Delhi and submitted a Memorandum on wage revision. The Finance Minister assured that he would call for the particulars and details from the Finance Ministry and look into the matter”. [I am not aware whether UFBU leaders made any attempt to meet thereafter to the Finance Ministry officials and confront the officials as to what happened to the assurance of FM ? or was it only a Photo Session to be uploaded on their websites? ]
· In circular dated 13th October, 2014 UFBU has informed that “It is two years since we submitted our charter of demands. While 13 rounds of negotiations have taken place, there is no satisfactory progress in the talks because of the negative attitude of the IBA/Government. Everyone is aware that employees and officers in the banking sector are doing their best to serve the customers and implement various schemes of the Government despite innumerable hardships and difficulties. Yet, the genuine demand for adequate wage revision is being delayed and denied” (http://aiboc.org/wp-conte…/uploads/…/10/aibocclr-2014-70.pdf )
The above clearly indicates that till 3 months back (in October 2014), UFBU considered the attitude of IBA / Government as NEGATIVE. It also considered that their demand of 25% were genuine and IBA is denying the same.
It is on account of such experiences that Aam Banker is totally frustrated and UFBU has lost its credibility and trust of its cadre. Aam Banker wants to know what has happened in last three months they they are ready to bring down their demands from 25%, and ready to agree around the offer of 12.5%? Some of the people are openly charging on social media the leadership of betraying their cadre and having under hand dealings with IBA.
Although Sub-Committees had meetings on 14th and 19th, but UFBU is afraid of openly discussing whether any proposal has actually been accepted by IBA or everything is only under discussion with IBA’s so called positive postures. It appears IBA is only taking part in discussions and not committing to any of other demands of 5 day week or regulated working hours for officers etc.
Now the negotiations are entering the final stage and there is a need for more transparency and quick detailed communication (not SMS) with the cadre by uploading the details within three hours of the conclusion of the talks. In case some units of UFBU feel that they are being pressurized, let them demand for recording of the talks from now onwards so that the bankers know who stands where?
If the discussions in Parliament can be put on live TV, why we can not have recording of the negotiations? Why UFBU leaders are afraid? Are they incompetent and will be exposed before the whole banking community? These are some of the questions which needs to be answered. We will wait whether IBA keeps its words this time and UFBU able to satisfy the aspirations of the bankers.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/barodians.bob/permalink/947055745305949/
CIRCULAR LETTER NO. 27/110/2015/6 , 21st January, 2015
TO ALL OFFICE BEARERS, STATE FEDERATIONS AND
ALL INDIA BANKWISE ORGANISATIONS
Dear Comrades,
We are sure that all our units are getting ready for the participation of the young delegates in our ensuing All India Youth Convention. There is enthusiastic response from most of the States including from far off States like Assam ( 22 delegates ), Tripura ( 12 delegates), etc. It is going to be a unique occasion because this would be the first exclusive All India Youth Convention being organised by AIBEA. In the recent years we have already observed the keen interest the young employees are taking in our trade union activities by participating in all the programmes like demonstrations, strikes, rallies, etc.
We have seen them in our last AIBEA Conference in Kochi and in the recent All India Women Employees Convention wherein they not only participated but also articulated their views and suggestions effectively. In the State-level conventions also they have participated with lot of interest. Hence we look forward to a successful Convention with their enlarged participation in the programme. Hyderabad awaits to receive all of these young comrades.
Convention Schedule: The programme will commence at 10-00 am on 31st January, 2014 (Saturday) and end around 6-00 PM on 1st February, 2015.
31st Jan. 8-30 AM Registration
10-00 AM Delegates’ Session
4-00 PM Public Session
1st Feb. 9-30 AM Delegates’ Session
6-00 PM Conclusion
List of Delegates: All the State Federations should immediately send to us ( with copy to the hosts APBEF ) the list of the names of the Delegates to the Convention. This is very important as we have to keep the documents, Delegate Card, etc. ready for distribution on 31st morning.
Arrival/Departure details: All our State Federations should also clearly intimate to APBEF about the details of arrival and departure of the Delegates, train name, time/date of arrival-departure, etc. as the Reception Committee is making arrangements for transportation both for receiving the delegates on arrival and to see off at the time of departure.
Accommodation: Accommodation in hotel rooms is being arranged by the host unit – APBEF for all then participants who inform them in advance. It would be around Rs. 500/550 per head per day. The cost /rent for the accommodation will be borne by the participants/units. All our State Federations should immediately inform APBEF about their room requirement and also remit the amount to them. Booking rooms at the last minute would be very difficult.
IMPORTANT: Those who do not need accommodation to be booked by APBEF should immediately inform them because full advance rent is being paid to the hotels which would be non-refundable. If no information is received in this regard, APBEF will book the rooms for all the delegates from the concerned State and State Federations may have to pay for the same. Hence provide the information to APBEF urgently.
For all the women delegates from different States, rooms are being booked in one hotel in the interest of their safety, easy commutation the convention venue, etc.
Similarly, the check-out time would be 24 hours. Those who check-in on 31st morning and if they are leaving on 1st evening, they may choose to vacate the rooms on 1st morning and save one day rent. In that case, this information should be informed to APBEF so that booking can be done accordingly.
Special co-operation of our State Federations is requested in this regard.
With greetings,
Yours Comradely,
C.H. VENKATACHALAM
GENERAL SECRETARY
Debojit Dutta Writes on FAcebook
Friends.. UFBU vide its circular dated 17th January, 2014 (while deferring the strike announced for 20th and 21st January, 2014) had written “………. IBA also reiterated that they would expedite the negotiations and conclude the Settlement by June, 2014,…………Looking to their (IBA) improved offer and assurance to expedite the settlement, it was decided to defer our agitational programme and proposed strike action on 20th and 21st January, 2014”.
Now see the contents of the messag...e issued by IBA on 19th Jan. 2015 ..
“IBA also assured that they would further pursue the matter with Government and deliberate in the Managing Committee Meeting of IBA to be held on the 31st January 2015 with all sincerity and hold discussions with us in the first week of February 2015 to improve the offer further to reach finality”.
Friends.. while going through the above two comments issued in a span of 12 months, you can very well understand the intentions of both the negotiating parties i.e. IBA and UFBU.
Now, what is the guarantee that the talks will be finalized in the first week of February as assured by the IBA and upon that assurance 7 out of nine constituents of UFBU decided to defer the all-important strike from 21-24 Jan’15. When each and every member of the banking fraternity was mentally prepared to go on the 4-day strike, the decision to put on hold the strike will send a negative message among bankers.
Its high time to give this issue a serious thought.. Bankers.. please wake up and show the solidarity in unearthing the truth behind all this. When the joint efforts of bankers can register India’s name in the Guinness Book of World records for opening accounts under PMJDY, why can’t we join hands together for the genuine cause of one million bankers of the country..
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