TO ALL PENSIONERS/BANKMEN:
(Hindi version already issued)
Bank Unions Passing Through
Great Credibility Crisis:
THE Banking industry and THE highly educated workforce added with competence, honesty & diligence, all these characteristics that too at one place is really surprising, particularly in a public sector enterprise. But, if you look at operating Unions, a very indifferent situation emerges out. Bank employees movement started in later part of 1940s, previsely in April, 1946 and now it's about to touch 75 years.
In this phase Banking saw many ups and downs. It's still going on. Change! Change mirrors in changing time. There was a time, when against the exploitations, Unions came in being as effective instrument and now it is the time when same Unions are patronising & perpitraing exploitation in connivance with management.
In fact trade Union root in Banking go deeper to 1920, when in then Imperial Bank of India first Union was formed, while AITUC was formed later in 1926. In 1946 on national level all Banks including Imperial Bank, All India Bank Employees Association was formed in which All India Imperial Bank Employees Association played leading role.
By 1952, very first apex Union formed in 1946, developed crack. Helpless and frustrated Imperial Bank employees union had to detach itself, due to political vicious circle. Thereafter breaking starts in serial.
Trade Unions formation-deformation, breakage-unification were commonly on political and non-political considerations. Sometime Congress, then sometime socialists or sometime what you call popularly right wing then Jan Sangh, now BJP, have been in bit to play in Banking
It formation-deformation in AIBEA stated from CPI and ended with CPM. In next phase a grand alliance of 9 Unions was formed. Unions of all colours formed a new cadet-UFBU. They all pledged to stop fingering to each other and treat equal brothers, no younger or no elder.
Fingering and itching, both, are disease. Despite the pledge not to do fingering, they continued to do it among themselves. Degree was varying. It's because of fingering the so called 'mahagathbandhan'- grand alliance- first it became 'mahathagbandhan' and then now defunct.
It's Communist's working style that first they try to capture and if they fail then break away, form new one. If they succeed they rule through coterie. Under this policy in 1953 lone Union was captured by CPI, which pushed our Imperial Bank Union. After some years, CPM followers tried to capture AIBEA, but when they failed, CPI retained and it pushed out opponents that give birth to BEFI.
With little more deeper, see on China war, in CPI under internal conflict of capture, a section failed and purged, which we call CPM. Among bank Union BEFI boast itself more radical and when it failed, it first purged. It's Union known for back door entry. Finger masters kicked it out.
CPI, CPM have nexus with ultra naxals, urban naxals, divisive and extremists. Due to their exposure in last several years, they have been decaying fast and now in few pockets of working class, peasants, landless labourers and white colored through different modus operandis. Studies reveal, these sections under CPI/CPM influence, have had suffered huge damages because of their proximity with these 2 parties. Now they are shrinking and scuttled, because people have developed good political understanding in last 2/3 decades.
In banking now 'mahathagbandhan' is divided in 2 parts and now deceiving employees and officers through their tricks. Bankers Association, IBA definitely deserve great applause that it could tide them all by one rope and continued dragging for last 2 decades. IBA could reduced these Unions as 'impotents' in the eyes of bank men. Now these unions are settlement addict. Settlement is not at their strength, but it's their greatest weakness now.
As known to all, all big banks are under govt ownership, but govt had never any heat from bank unions. Unions might have shown any anger, but internally it were neutral, all was well. Banking reform, consolidation, disinvestment like work govt did smoothly. Then why pretentious cryful activities like dharana, demonstrations, strikes etc? Actions just to pretend is no action. All was cool inside in Unions. This cool-cool is since long and now it's so cool that now it doest stand. Despite this bank men live in illusion that it would stand and see in their leaders with 'hopes'.But whether is there any potential in importent men to produce something? We hesitate to call them impotent, because even transgender have achieved their rights to live with grace, while bank men turned themselves into bonded labourer.
Worst hit are retirees. Na Khuda mila na visale-a-sanam. They are of no where. They are like trishanku. Retiree unions' hawkers, these days are doing prabhat pheri with a paper in hand to give the same to some MP or Minister of same Modi whom they hate. To same government whose FM has not been hailed for her bold statement in support of Pensioners
Why this drama, when FM herself has taken the reign in her hand. FM and the government is aware of such shikhandies. A leader of biggest officer union is praying for 10 minutes audience with State FM through a far off MP. Why not FM, because he has no face to face FM!
Such a big and important industry as Banking, which if stops for a moment, nation come to grinding halt, breathlessness occurs. Late Prabhakar used to say that he represents a switch organization. Just he makes switch off, banking comes in darkness. This was the position when AIBEA was alone. And now mahagathbandhan to mahathagbandhan to now what not..? You raise the tail, all seem to be female, none male!
(J. N. Shukla)
National Convener,
28.1.2021
9559748834
फोरम आफ बैंक पेंशनर एक्टिविस्टस्
Forum of Bank Pensioner Activists
PRAYAGRAJ
न त्वहं कामये राज्यं न स्वर्गं नापुनर्भवम्।
कामये दुःखतप्तानां प्रणिनामार्तिनाशनम्॥
हिमालयं समारभ्य, यायव हिन्दुसरोवरं।
आतं देवनिर्मितं देशं, हिन्दुस्तानं प्रचक्षेत।।
Dear Pensioner Friends,
Your malaise is shocking.
Till 28.10.2020, we all were aware pension revision won't be. There was nothing positive in MOU dtd 22.7.2020 as well. After MOU, Chairman, IBA made a statement, in principle, they agree to lift ceiling from family pension. This was an unilateral declaration of IBA. No any say of Unions in it.
But, for said announcement, union leaders pat their back, left no efforts unturned to claim as if Family Pension was 'revised' and all 'miseris' of Family Pensioners were remedied. While, the fact was, Family Pension was not revise. Among family pensioners, some get 15%, 20% pension due to ceiling. This ceiling was proposed to be removed, thus now in future all will get @ 30%. Majority of them has already been getting 30%. Family Pensioners can get actual revision only when the Pension is revised.
It were happening in open, but pensioners and their unions were maitaining stoic silence. There might have anger among pensioners, but they had no medium to ventilate it.
All operating unions resorted to deceptive propagation, to avoid burst out, telling bankmen that in 'other issues' 5 days banking and pension revision are open issues to be discussed and settled in final settlement. This was white lie. Why white lie? In fact black hole in black! Purpose was to shower cold water over flames, if any. They could succeed, because of cowardice acts of retiree unions.
5 days banking issue was extinguished on day one of talks. IBA chairman made very candid remark that banks have greater number of days of holidays than anywhere and if proved otherwise, he would take it up with government.
The 'Activists' were aware of this reality and they were ceaselessly engaged in offing damage control exercises. They kept their eyes on fast changing equations. They knew it that Unions-IBA would sign settlement as per MOU and disappear. Therefore, the 'Activists' concentrated themselves to apprise the government with foul intentions and impress upon the urgency of govt intervention. Because issue has been a bilateral one, govt can't do anything, option was to tell it's mind to IBA/ Bankers in candid terms.
Hon'ble Finance Minister made public the steps she initiated in this regard, in her interview as appeared in Business Lines on 30.10.2020. It stormed or better say bombarded!. Operating union leaders lost sense, went mad, apprehending great fall out and ramifications of said interview. This was historical exposer of their double standard. Their anguish could be well understood, but the anguish of retiree unions have not been understood. It was great cowardice venture on retiree unions' part. Instead any happiness, FM statement saddened retiree unions. This couldn't be understood so far. Operating unions were exposed, so their anger and going mad have some meaning, they didn't appreciate or hail FM for her statement favouring Pensioners, but why retiree leaders have epileptoid?
Matter didn't end here. Hon'ble FM while addressing AGM of IBA on 10.11.2020, she further hit below the belt by questioning, why pensioners "dues" are not being given. We had worked in Banks. We understand the meaning and implication of "dues". Hon'ble FM cited, how defence people secured OROP in her address.
Case is clear. Unions-IBA scandalous deeds have been exposed by no other than the FM of country who controls the PSBs.
It's over 2 and a half month, since settlement reached, but none of the Unions turned up to write IBA to look into expeditiously the pension revision matter as opined by FM. Now, they have stopped pursuing even family pension ceiling removal matter.
We initiated discussion on malaise of pensioners. A large section of pensioners are not ready to bear patience. They are unaware of intricacies & seriousness of issue in question. Such people are vitiating the mind of pensioners by raising host of questions. This helps least, rather complicate more. Pension revision is an issue, which could not reach to negotiating table in last 25 years. Not only IBA but Unions were turning the table. 'Big No' was their commo answer. For boasting, revision was projected as Herculean task by Unions. We heard big Unions deceiving, cheating innocent bank pensioners by promising not to sign settlement without pension revision, but in end they all signed on dotted lines.
Today, pension revision jumped across table and now it's between Finance Minister and Bankers, but a section of pensioners think, nothing has happened. Now, we don't hesitate to say, bank pensioners deserved such treatment. Their such understanding has been the reason that their own shadows have left them, we mean their own unions deserted them.
We do feel deep regret and shock, when few among us spread among pensioners the frustration, disappointment and distrust. It shows they have lost their vigor & strength. The 'Activists', dismantling all pyramids of established order made relevant what was hitherto irrelevant, but for some people nothing have happened
The 'Activists' proved heavier on Bankers & Unions, both. Today, the situation is that Hon'ble FM is standing by side of Pensioners. FM herself is pursuing our cause, while our own Unions are dead against it.
We challenge them who boast to be oldest Union, pretentiously cry to come forward and tell bank men whether in history ever such thing happened?
Despite this, how one could convince the pensioners that something great has happened, ice is melting, you bear patience, don't be impatient & disappointed. Deep darkness is going to be dispelled by new dawn! Yes, it's sure to come, which we all awaite vigorously.
We wish to convey, patience and courage are two most powerful weapons, the Almighty God has given in every creatures and that's in you too dear pensioners & bank men. Keep it up with life. Without this you are coward, dead entity. Pensioners have given direction to nation, economy, built powerful PS banking & mighty trade Unions. How, could we be directionless today? We wedged war and We always won. This struggle we shall win, this confidence we must have. We appeal to all pensioners, let your confidence not tremble, come what may. This very confidence & hope gives us courage to continue our life.
( J. N. Shukla)
National Convener
30.1.2021
9559748834
NB; Hindi version already sent
फोरम आफ बैंक पेंशनर एक्टिविस्टस्
Forum of Bank Pensioner Activists
PRAYAGRAJ
न त्वहं कामये राज्यं न स्वर्गं नापुनर्भवम्।
कामये दुःखतप्तानां प्रणिनामार्तिनाशनम्॥
हिमालयं समारभ्य, यायव हिन्दुसरोवरं।
आतं देवनिर्मितं देशं, हिन्दुस्तानं प्रचक्षेत।।
ALL ACTIVISTS/ BANKMEN:
Better Late Than Never !
Stagnation Increments
Extended to Retirees
Between 1.11.2022-30.4.2015
For Uniformity Sake, Otherwise Not?
After over 5 years 8 months, a small glitch gets the mind of IBA and now it is crear, as appears from their letter No.HR&IR GMB/2020-21/9578 dated 29.1.21.
In 10th Settlement/ 7th Joint Note dated 25.5.2015 stagnation increments were to be notionally rejigged with actual benefits from 1.5.2015. Those who were retired between 1.11.2012 to 30.4.2015, they were too entitled to notional increments and having given effect their pension was to be revise from 1.5.2015 accordingly.
Some of the Banks implemented it by taking legal opinion, while many not. Issue remained lurking for such a long time, despite cries from across the beneficiaries, Unions & IBA maintained deep silence. It's but for govt intervention, this could see the dawn.
It speaks of position of trade Unions that they couldn't get a small glitch removed from IBA for such a long time. It's historically important that this could be cleared after next settlement. It is another important feature that the said term was implemented by many PSBs, holding that correct, while many not terming that wrong.
Today, careful reading of letter in question reveals that IBA cleared it in its standing committee meeting of 11th Jan.21, because in some Banks after seeking legal opinion it was implemented. IBA says, ' to have industry level uniformity' it decided that remaining Banks can extend it for pension purposes with real gain from 1.5.2015.
Successes have hundreds father. Now, all Unions are in race to acclaim credit for it. They are not ashamed for clumsy terms of settlement that caused trouble. They are not ashamed of delay. First create ambiguity and then rectify and claim credit is the declared policy of Unions. Unions have lost vision & sense, this we have been trying to make out on solid facts and circumstances. But, bank men, though they realize, go sheep run/ bhed-chaal.
Anyway, it's pensioners success. Let us celebrate it. Strong Watchdog machinery is the need of hour. Strengthen our hands. We appeal entire banking fraternity to please lend us their one hand. We shall prove our worth.
Greetings,
( J. N. Shukla)
National Convener
1.2.21
9559748834
: फोरम आफ बैंक पेंशनर एक्टिविस्टस्
Forum of Bank Pensioner Activists
PRAYAGRAJ
न त्वहं कामये राज्यं न स्वर्गं नापुनर्भवम्।
कामये दुःखतप्तानां प्रणिनामार्तिनाशनम्॥
हिमालयं समारभ्य, यायव हिन्दुसरोवरं।
आतं देवनिर्मितं देशं, हिन्दुस्तानं प्रचक्षेत।।
ALL ACTIVISTS:
O V E R T U R E
Something that serves as a preceding event or introduces what follows.
"Bank employees have done hard work during the lockdown and immediately after that", said the FM in reply to a question asked by Business Line correspondent on 30.10.2020.
Thanking Bank men for their hard work during pandemic, the Finance Minister said, "If anything, I would be answering to this question beginning with big thanks to all banks particularly the public sector banks and of course equally goes to private sector because employees of all the banks have really exposed to such a difficult environment, reaching out to far flung villages, ensuring all Government schemes to be implemented in good manner and that too with speed. I can not answer any question on banking sector without beginning it with a big thanks to all of them for the way which they sat with dedication."
Explaining the steps she took on most contentious issues of former Bankers, she said, "Today I had a meeting with newly appointed SBI Chairman Dinesh Kumar Khara. One of the questions that I asked he may or may not be directly involved into it but as a big brother among all the banks, he should be talking to IBA to sort out issues related with bank employees, their pension, family pension and pensions of those who retired long time ago, whose pension does not commensurate with the pension of equal rank."
Giving more stress to this, she said, "So, that is something I am putting all my energy to make sure. I am communicating with IBA. Secretary (Banking) is also working with them."
She shared her intention with correspondent and made very specific statement: "I told Dinesh Khara that this is something, I am very keen, I want bank employees to be given their dues. A lot of pensioners are waiting for very long time.
She told, "Yesterday I had meeting with Rajkiran Rao (Rai) of IBA. I spoke to him too. We need bank employees to be attended too, particularly their families and the pension of retired employees too. Pension matter, staff welfare, these are the issues on which I am definitely concerned."
We don't find any ambiguity. It's spoken by heart & mind, both. Something Done before spoken. That's the way of statesmanship. It's not like "dekh rahen hai, dekhege" proverbial connotation in earlier governments.
We, therefore, firmly hold every word as promising and believe in their correctness.
( J. N. Shukla)
National Convener
01.02.2021
9559748834
फोरम आफ बैंक पेंशनर एक्टिविस्टस्
Forum of Bank Pensioner Activists
PRAYAGRAJ
न त्वहं कामये राज्यं न स्वर्गं नापुनर्भवम्।
कामये दुःखतप्तानां प्रणिनामार्तिनाशनम्॥
हिमालयं समारभ्य, यायव हिन्दुसरोवरं।
आतं देवनिर्मितं देशं, हिन्दुस्तानं प्रचक्षेत।।
TO: ALL PENSIONERS
Brothers & Sisters,
In last few days, several posts were seen in social media expressing 'legitimate' expectations of 'announcement' of 'Bank Pension Revision' in General Budget.
It's the problem of understanding, which make innocent pensioners victim. It's naked fact that our pension is 'self funded', nothing to do with government or its budget. One questioned: Then why OROP was announced in budget? Such question was from a very literate person communicating in English. It speaks of level, people play in social media. Defence expenditures are part of budgetary allocations, so OROP had a connect.
Ignorance makes us suffer. When revision of Bankmen wages & service conditions have no connection with government, how Pension revision can?
If Govt has such powers, where was the need for FM to speak & advise Bankers/IBA Executives to look into issues of pension revision, health & welfare measures of former bankers?
Under any circumstances or pressure, no government can take any unconventional route to help us or anyone else. Whatever the FM did, was her great adventurous endeavor. She could have just conveyed her view points to Bankers/IBA through administrative channels, had no need to speak one to one. But, looking to gravities & intricacies of issues in question, she chose to make her view points & steps she took, public in very candid & transparent manner.
Better course is to bear patience and continue persuasive efforts in this regard.
Greetings & good wishes,
(J. N. Shukla)
National Convener
02.02.2021
9559748834
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