BANK EMPLOYEES MOVEMENT

BANK EMPLOYEES MOVEMENT:

(Persuent to Forum's decision, in Part-1, we discussed in brief  the period of 1946 to1969. Now, in Part-2, we shall discuss post nationalization to pre- UFBU formation, broadly from post nationalization, 1970 to pre-UFBU formation,1997. In this part, we will discuss Unions' status and their role in Public Sector Banking era. Also, their disintegrated status, positive/negative contributions

 etc.-FBPA) 

PART-2

We take next phase from Nationalization, 1969 to pre-UFBU formation1997, in which many major break- throughs were witnessed. Change in Credit Policy, Participative management, clamp down of emergency- that posed serious threat to Trade Union movement, impasse in Bipartite processes, raids on late Com. Prabhatkar & Com. DP Chadha houses- restoration of Bipartite Settlement, reduction of Pay Scale span from 24 to 20 years, movement for reorganization/ consolidation of PSBs into 5/6 units, movement for Pension Scheme in Banking and emergence of Officers' Unions were few important milestones.

Here, one thing is very interesting to note that it were Officers who formed AIBEA, basically workmen Union, in 1946, but no officers Union could be formed neither then nor over next two and a half decades. In mid 1960s in BOI, SBI, CBI, Uco Bank some initiatives were seen, but of no substance. Thank God, unilateral implementation of Pillai Committee Recommendations made a cause and in 1972, AICOBOO came into being. It would be fair to recall that when Govt went ahead of 'rationalization' of pay structure of officers and appointed Pillai Committee to suggest ways & means to have uniformity, this development per force hastened the process of officers of different Banks coming together to present their case before the Committee.

AICOBOO could not sail well, it backed out from united actions in those days, that necessitated formation of another Officers association namely All India Bank Officers Association (AIBOA) in 1982. It was belated step on the part of AIBEA, it's  decision was taken in 1979 to form AIBOA to have a coordinated movement of workmen and officers, because AICOBOO, failed to turn up on numerous occasions to join struggles on issues of common interests. 

For lack of clarity, once again, AICOBOO, failed to attend the most crucial issues of Officers before Pillai Committee  and it rushed to Pillai Committee after its final meeting. However, AIBEA appeared before PC and argued the case for differentials for officers in view of their very peculiar risk and responsibilities. 

After long years of chaos and AICOBOO's drifting away from the avowed Trade Union path, a necessity was extremely felt to have a new organization. Under this situation, on 6th October, 1985 AIBOC was founded at New Delhi. This can be taken as another step forward in right direction to organize Officers.

We would fail in our duty, if we do not mention certain important developments in union field. As fissures developed in 1953 Conference of AIBEA, in 1954, All India Imperial Bank of India Staff Federation was formed. All India BOB Employees Federation also severed it's relation  in 1960 with AIBEA. All India Indian Overseas Bank Employees Union was independent right from its establishment. They all were not under one banner, but just continued opposing AIBEA jointly and severally.

Another split was caused in movement in Feb.1965 when NOBW was formed, which sought affiliation from BMS, BJP trade Central Trade Union, in 1969. It became signatory to 3rd Settlement.

In political confrontation AIBEA breaks further. CPM followers in AIBEA were cornered, so they they formed separate Union in 1982, which we know as BEFI, affiliated to CITU, CPM Central Trade Union.

On 26th Jan.1970, at Mumbai National Union of Bank Employees ( NUBE) was formed collectively by AISBI Staff Federation, All India Bank Employees Federation, All India BOB Employees Federation, All India IOB Empliyees Feferation, Canara Bank Staff Union.

INBEC and then NCBE came in. It all were just old wine in new bottle blendings. They have their area of influence and operating accordingly. They all have common agenda to oppose AIBEA, since they all were thrown out from AIBEA.

Now, we have following Unions representing workmen & Officers. They all are under UFBU, a common platform created in 1997.

Award Staff:

All India Bank Employees' Association (AIBEA) (1946).

National Confederation of Bank Employees (NCBE) (1979).

Bank Employees' Federation of India (BEFI) (1982).

Indian National Bank Employees' Federation (INBEF) (1972).

National Organisation of Bank Workers (NOBW) (1965).

Officers' Unions/Associations:

All India Bank Officers' Confederation (AIBOC) (1985).

All India Bank Officers' Association (AIBOA) (1982).

Indian National Bank Officers' Congress (INBOC) (1985).

National Organisation of Bank Officers' (NOBO) (1984).

UFBU (1997):

The structure of UFBU consists of the Presidents and General Secretaries of the nine unions which form the Coordination Committeeand one among them will be selected/nominated as the Convener of UFBU. 

In service conditions matter, in bank employees movement, Pension Scheme can be termed as the greatest achievement. The Union, AIBEA, carved out a social & economic security policy for post retirement life. When the movement for Pension was conceptionalized in mid 1980s, fight initiated, founding fathers of AIBEA were not sure to achieve it. It was thought of as separate 'issue' de-linked from wage revision process, as there was no time frame to achieve it. Situation turned more grim, when all other Trade Unions, except AIBOA, in Banking started creating impediments and left no stone unturned to beat this issue. Bankers, IBA & all Unions joined together to stall it. AIBEA with moral support of AIBOA was in field to agitate and achieve it on 29.10.1993. At that point of time Pension was declared as orphan by forces opposed to AIBEA. But, in next few years Pension proved as great success, so it has many fathers by 1998, in consonance with an adage: 'success has many father, failure is an orphon.'

If you look into above two phases, you would find, basics of service conditions were laid down by Courts/Tribunals in first phase & in second phase in addition to improvement in basics, some new moves like (i) formation of Officers' Associations, (ii) rationalization/ standardization of Officers Service Conditions, (iii) reduction of Pay scale span from 24 to 20 years, (iv) wage settlement period from 4 to 5 years with a condition that the new settlement would be effective from next date, the current one expires, & (v) Pension Scheme, were there to reckon with.

Aforesaid all achievements were made under pioneering role of AIBEA is undeniable fact. It's indelible. People must accept and respect, irrespective their affiliations. Truth is truth. AIBEA in this era became trend setter. With regard to all other Unions' role, one example is enough to prove their role. In last leg of this time phase, Pension Scheme was last issue, fought by AIBEA, where all Unions, Bankers, IBA and govt were together in stalling Pension demand and tried their best to stop & scuttle it, but failed. It proves, it's not bunch, but clean and clear will power that achieves the goal. In today's context, it's great issue to examine, how AIBEA alone made it happen and how today all unitedly are loosing battle?

After Pension Regulations, 1995  a  tirades of character assassination of AIBEA leaders was let loose by all Unions. Pension Scheme was ridiculed. Resulting, vast chunk of banking fraternity, say 52%, were hugely misled who in turn rejected it, to their great disadvantage.

AIBEA thought, the inter-Union conflicts harm Bank men interests. It causes delay and frustrations among bankmen and help Bankers/IBA to take advantage. Thus, it decided to make an effort to bring all Unions on one platform. 

We are of opinion, all Unions, irrespective their past acts, attitude and political affiliations, responded wholeheartedly. The basic condition of this grand alliance was: all equal brothers, no elder- no younger, common goal of Banking & bank men well-being. They all were given equal seat in structure, irrespective of their membership. On 14.2.1997,United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) came into being and reign of movement was handed over to UFBU.

(to be concluded)

J. N. Shukla

4.9.2020

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