फोरम आफ बैंक पेंशनर एक्टिविस्टस्
Forum of Bank Pensioner Activists
PRAYAGRAJ
कामये दु:खताप्तानां प्राणिनाम् आर्तिनाशनम् ।
For Circulation:
Bank men Difficulties
Shall Aggravate Further:
(Part-2)
In Part-1, dated 6th June, 2020, we tried to cover some 'situations' that exist on ground zero and at top hierarchy of Bank management & Unions. Three most dismaying and painful situations surfaced post pandemic time: one, that IBA went in nepathya (offstage), proved to be great opportunist; two, Banks' executives bewildered in indecisive state of mind, pushed unarmed entire workforce in most troublesome situations, which could have been averted, provided their body, IBA wouldn't have left the field & turned it's back; and third, the UFBU vanished into thin air
(गधे के सिर से सींग की तरह गायब होना). All these 3 facets are on one side of coin, while other side we find bank men from top to bottom languishing.
2. Now, let us look to other aspects. Wage increase has been sealed at 15% rise. However, it's far better than 9% offer on which a satisfaction note was issued by a biggest constituent of UFBU. There is another reason to strike a note of greater satisfaction at 15% rise, according to Unions, because in 2015, in 10th Settlement it was 15% rise when Banks were in their pink of health. In 2020, getting 15% was somewhat beyond imagination, as all Banks have bleeding balance sheets for last several years, that's why 15% rise, as per Unions' unanimous 'choice', put forth on 30th Jan.2020 was assumed as asking for moon, so there has been an occasion for bank men to have clapped, applauded & rejoiced the said 15% rise development, but it didn't happen to great disappontments of leaders. Bank men displayed no joy. We are of opinion, done is done and it can't be undone, better bank men understand it and now move forward, instead stuck in and hurting their soul and mind.
3. Wage revision & improvement in service conditions have had already been give a beat by none other than Unions, over last 2 decades. Though, this time govt had the intention to get the new settlement in place, well before the current settlement (10th) was to expire on 31.10.2017, by giving necessary direction to the Chief Executives of PSBs, way back in January, 2016- some 22 months in advance. It was defeated by IBA-UFBU for their own interests & pecuniary gains. Here, Govt was acting in line with Central Pay Commission, where Govt issues notification quite in advance to have CPC Recommendations in a time bound. In Banks' regard, Govt intention was to address the delay in settlements this time, a long precedence, but it was foiled, as stated above.
4. To keep record straight, we would like to reiterate the request that we had with UFBU & it's constituents in early 2015 (before 10th Settlement in May, 2015), to bring in place 24 months term, in place of existing 6 months to submit Charter of Demands, start negotiation & reach to settlement before the existing settlement expires. A similar request was made by us to then Finance Minister as well. However, UFBU & it's constituents ignored our request for well thought out reasons and clinched 10th settlement with existing 6 months clause. We have a reason to believe that the Finance Ministry, taking due cognizance of our request issued aforesaid direction in January, 2016 accordingly.
5. We need not to comment on the way & approach of UFBU-IBA combine, as it has been quite in limelight through social media. In brief: host of tricks have been seen with sole intention to delay & delay. It was remunerative to both sides, UFBU-IBA, therefore take the whole processes in last two and a half year, as proverbial 'noora-kusti'. IBA used officers' 'Scale' issue as spanner in UFBU wheel. It derailed UFBU, divided 4 officers wings in two apart. In a hostile & volatile situation, AIBOC lost it's balance of mind & pragmatism. It resorted to actions which IBA let went off unnoticed by taking 5 workmen & 2 officers Unions on board. 2 days officers strike followed with powerful Dharana in Delhi had virtual death, the moment Saumya Dutta, GS, AIBOC led a delegation to dynast clown Pappu. Time came, in quest of survival, Dutta had to flee like sparrow from Kolkata to Chennai to take other two purged officers Unions on board to dash IBA Mumbai headquarters. Journey was yet incomplete so they all reached to Mr. Sunil Mehta, CMD PNB at his office New Delhi who was then IBA Chairman. It was same Mehta who was not deem fit to be met after day long Dharana in New Delhi by AIBOC. Dutta took full circle from Kolkata to Chennai to Mumbai to New Delhi to Kolkata back home to get in process. Now he is condemned lot in whole process, just a defeated & unarmed so called worrior.
6. AIBOC is a demoralized segment in negotiations. It's GS tried to play Rajnish Kumar's victim card, issued statement in media, criticizing FM for snubbing Kumar, SBI Chairman, which Dutta had to withdraw back, stating to be sent inadvertently, because Dutta's media statement was to cost Mr. Kumar dearly. Dutta apologized unconditionally in writing to Chairman, SBI, as learnt.
7. Officers' community may well understand their position to have such a demoralized commander-in-chief. In pandemic, how the officers were targeted/subjected/ maltreated/ humiliated from various sides, need no elaboration. The whole industrial relation mechanism have had failed and prospects jeopardized across the industry. Neither Banks' Executives, nor Indian Banks' Association give any cognizance or take seriously any more Unions or leaders. Both are just engaged in 'nurakushti'. Even if govt want something, it is foiled by IBA-Unions combine.
In our next edition, we shall discuss the fault lines in wage increase processes, mechanism and methodologies which Unions followed and that resulted in down fall in wages, pension and allowances over a period of time. We shall discuss the wrong basics and shall look into remedial measures that Banking and bank men need urgently to survive.
(to be concluded)
- J. N. Shukla
-------------------------------------
For Circulation:
Bank men Difficulties
Shall Aggravate Further:
(Part-1)
Covid-19 shall move in serious phase, may play havoc now with Unlock-1. If people want safety of life, all they now need to take extraordinary precautions and protect themselves from any probable fall out. No remedies, no medicines, no hospitals, no beds, no gadgets can handle & rescue such large population from danger. Enough is enough. Please do not have any complacency, virus is same at large so far, killing thousands and thousands people worldwide. No vaccine, no medicines! Precautions are only cure. Also, there is no scope to sermons any more, as too much have had been repeatedly delivery on this subject and, we believe, people are now well equipped to live and behave. Let us follow norms more strictly, rigorously and be vigilant, whether in office or transit or in home. Folder people must continue in their four walla.
In lockdown time life was fixed at all level. Bank men across the country had to face very challenging situations face to face with Covid-19. Bank men are working with Covid-19 close to neck. Think & recollect they all have danger to life, but invisible.
Bank men felt 'alone', even their shadows (unions) disappeared. Collective wisdom, Union, disappeared. Only the management was found around, taking some safety & relief measures. The most unfortunate situation that surfaced: bank men found their Unions missing across country.
We found one Union, writing letters to authorities, but of no considerations.
UFBU vanished into thin air, befitting of Hindi proverb: 'gadhe ke sir se sing ki tarah gayab hona'-( गधे के सिर से सींग की तरह गायब होना).
IBA went in offstage- nepathya. It was very cowardice. They disappeared from the battle field, though they were under obligation to stand unitedly with banking industry to chart out common strategy to combat the menace.
IBA proved to be great opportunist. They proved, they are brokers only. They proved, they work only for money. They proved, they part their services/consultancies only on payment basis. All Banks are left in most indesicive state of mind and all they are found bewildered- किंकर्तव्यविमूढ़.
We don't comment on UFBU and it's constituents. We leave it to Bank men to look into their respective Unions and their mega formation -paper tiger- UFBU to appraise their role.
Not a single 'relief' they could secure, leave due compensations for working bank men.
Bank men know well that their wages, allowances, facilities, which form the basis of service conditions & service contracts are for 'normal conditions'.
As far Doctors, nurses, para medical force, police, administration, military, hygine workers their jobs itself are with such occupational hazards & risks.
Bank men are just normal commercial workers and their wages, allowances, service conditions are fixed in consonance with occupational risks & hazards. Naturally, if Bank men are put at par with those who have life risks, some different schemes have been necessitated. But, we find total disregard, discrimination and negligence with bank men.
Bank men are not treated like Corona Warriors. They were not complimented, applauded, welcomed as done for Corona Warriors.
In case of death Corona Warriors are given 50 lakh rupees insurance cover. Bank men are given just 20 lakhs.
How the death is evaluated is a matter of shame & shocks!
For Corona warriors coming in infection, quarantine, positive, hospitalization etc. govt envisaged monetary packages for such eventualities.
But, in none of the Banks any such schemes have come in notice. Banks have no idea to do it, as it's to bell a cat.
Unions do the things only which IBA does. If IBA is silent, Unions are in deeper silence. We are sorry, such inhuman treatment is meted out to bank men, of course bank men pay such price because of their beaten character by their Unions.
Corona shouldn't be taken as over. By lockdown it was shackled. Now lockdown is unlocked, so Corona's shackles are now removed. It's freed.
Many Banks brought in some relief measures for Lockdown period. It may end up now. But, threats to life have increased manifold, as now with unlock, markets, trades, industries would gear up. Trade transactions would come back. Thus, there is greater danger to life. Corona will spread with more intensity, because now markets are opened, trading & industrial activities have resumed and would get momentum. Social distancing, the only remedy, shall distance from these sphares and Corona shall be too close.
Under circumstances, bank men need much more self care to keep at bay every possibility of virus.
More alertness is required for senior bank men - pensioners. Better, they treat for them unlock-1 as lockdown-5. Please remain within your beloved four walls to keep yourselves safe. Your wellness is the wellness of your family. Family wellness is the wellness of society and society wellness is the wellness of nation & people. ( to be concluded)
- J. N. Shukla
National Convenor
6.6.2020
9559748834
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