WHETHER NEW LEADERSHIP IS NECESSARY FOR BANK-MEN

An article written by Mr. K. Balasubramanian, in one of the websites raising a debate on the leadership of bank unions. We are publishing here the same for our readers.
When the UFBU, in particular AIBEA /AIBOA COMBINE,   gave a call for strike during next month (16 DECEMBER) against the  PROPOSED merger of STATE BANK OF INDORE with SBI, the ministry of finance under the chairmanship of Mr. Chadurvedi conducted a meeting of  chiefs of major banks  that includes  our respected IBA CHAIRMAN AND UNION BANK CHIEF MR. MV. NAIR.  on the subject of consolidation ofbanks.   CRUELTY OF FATE.
From this it is very clear that neither the government of India represented by ministry of finance nor IBA has taken the protest / strike call seriously. After the ritual CLC meeting if any ,that may be arranged in the days to come either the strike may be called off or the parties may allowthe strike to materialize which means equivalent to one more holiday for the general public and monetary loss to the bank employees in the form of wage cut. The enthusiasm that they are showing for the strike call was not at all shown for the vexed problem of wage revision. Already employees are totally in a negative mood   eagerly anticipating major initiatives from all the three sides namely Government/Iba/union.  All the three are jointly and severally responsible for the inhuman treatment   meted out to   bank employees/bank pensioners/bank PF  optees who are dyeing daily on a psychological basis and undergoing tension  for pension option /decent wage revision.
This situation is mainly called   LEADERSHIP VACUUM . ie. No leader of a good stature who is commanding respect from all sides ie political official, fellow union is available. If the answer is  A FIRM NO  to this view, then no need to negotiate without any solution since 2007
A new avtar of bank union  who is realizing the present need of the employees in terms of parity with the government counterparts and at the same time  a person of practical approach who will guide the members on a nonpolitical basis and  taking the views of the government positively on financial reforms  is the absolute need of the hour. Even minority unions belong to major political parties are not airing the views thro press . LACK OF ADEQUATE MEMBERSHIP MAY BE THE REASON There are good opportunities for such unions /associations to take up the matter with more vigour  and  make the other comrades/officers to rally round them. Only initiative with the real motive of getting the benefits and at the same time cooperation to the government   will yield the desired result. In whatever affiliation the   person belongs either as individual or a group the moment they   start airing the views through  their political bosses who is having influence or whose words will be heard in the corridors of power with respect, there is opportunity knocking the doors. When ten lakhs bank employees struggling for the normal wage increase plus other benefits ,they will take that leadership beyond political affiliation if it comes in the right time. The situation is analogous to person  who does not know swimming but  fallen into  deep water crying for help. This situation is also can be compared to  certain times sweeping the state elections with altogether anew sloga using the political vacuum . one example  LATE .NT RAMA RAO, SLOGAN TELUGU PRIDE. This is only for analogy and not beyond that.
Source: http://www.allbankingsolutions.com/Wage-revision-new-leadership.HTM