AIBOC CIRCULAR NO. 53 DATED 21.05.2011

AIBOC issued its circular No. 53 dated 21.05.2011 on reinstatement of Sri V.K. Prasad and calling off of the strike in Federal Bank. We are reproducing the same here for our readers.

CIRCULAR NO.53                                                  21.05.2011

TO ALL AFFILIATES/MEMBERS:

COM.V.K.PRASAD REINSTATED - STRIKE IN FEDERAL BANK AND IN STATE UNIT OF KERALA CALLED OFF

Com.V.K.Prasad, President, Federal Bank Officers’ Association and Secretary, Kerala State Unit of AIBOC who was dismissed from the services of the Bank on 23.04.2011, is reinstated on 19.05.2011. He has already joined duty at Inspection Dept. at H.O., Marine Drive, Ernakulam. As informed to you earlier, strike on 19th & 20th May, 2011 in Federal Bank and protest Strike called by AIBOC, Kerala State Unit on 20.05.2011, called off.

Com.Prasad is posted in the same scale with reduction of two increments by way of punishment on the basis of findings in the enquiry conducted against him. Our struggle was against the disproportionate punishment imposed on him by the Management.

Comrades, the historic comeback of Com.Prasad to Federal Bank is great victory for FBOA and AIBOC, and vindicated the manifestation of our united strength. The agitation launched minutes after the dismissal of Com. Prasad on Saturday 23/4/2011 with thundering protest demonstrations at Federal Towers at Aluva and Ernakulam, observance of 'Black Day' and holding protest demonstrations all over the country on Monday 25/4/2011, culminated in one day All India strike called by FBOA in Federal Bank on 26/4/2011, became an All India Agitation by the entry of AIBOC in the picture and the vibrant leadership rendered by Com.G.D.Nadaf, General Secretary, AIBOC, Com.P.V.Sivasankara Pillai, Kerala State President, AIBOC and Com.Abraham Shaji John, Senior Vice President, AIBOC Kerala Sate Unit.

Com. G.D.Nadaf reached Aluva on 26.4.2011 on strike day and addressed the protesting comrades before the Federal Towers at Aluva, met Shri. Shyam Sreenivasan, M.D & CEO of Federal Bank and requested for immediate withdrawal of the dismissal order served on Com. Prasad. As the Management was not ready to accede to the good advices of Com. Nadaf, FBOA was forced to continue its protest action all over the country with the support of AIBOC and other constituents of UFBU. All affiliates sent protest telegrams to the Managing Director of the Federal Bank.

The second phase of strike action was called for 5th and 6th of May 2011. Com. Nadaf again visited Aluva on 4th May 2011 evening at 8 p.m. and held discussions with Management in an attempt to resolve the issue. On a conciliatory move, Com. Nadaf advised FBOA to defer strike action scheduled on 5th and 6th May 2011, till 12th May 2011 to provide a congenial atmosphere for settlement, as per the request of the Managing Director & CEO of Federal Bank. But nothing materialised to resolve the issue; hence we were again driven to the agitational path and FBOA announced All India strike for 19th and 20th May, 2011. AIBOC Kerala State Committee met at Ernakulam under the leadership of Com. P.V.Sivasankara Pillai, President and decided to call for statewide Bank Strike in Kerala by officers on 20th May, 2011 in support of the cause. This was a unique decision with the approval of AIBOC National Leadership.

The strike preparations progressed with full spirit and participation, protest demonstrations were held at various centres. Trade Union leaders addressed protest meetings. FBOA announced a relay hunger strike and announced withdrawal of extra co-operation to the management. The entire state of Kerala was moving towards a total Bank strike.

Even in the late hours of 18th May, 2011 the previous day of our strike, attempts were made by Com. G.D.Nadaf to find out a solution to the issue and guided us in our discussions with the management. Simultaneously, he was also in constant touch with the Managing Director & CEO of the Bank. After protracted discussions, and just hours before the commencement of our strike, the Management agreed to reinstate Com.V.K.Prasad in the service of the Bank subject to the condition that he will be awarded punishment in view of the alleged findings in the enquiry.

The reinstatement order was handed over to Com.V.K.Prasad along with the order of posting him at Inspection Department, Marine Drive, Ernakulam with reduction of 2 increments in the present scale. We heartily congratulate Com. Prasad and the vibrant comrades of FBOA and Kerala State Unit, AIBOC.

Comrades, we congratulate each and every member of FBOA and AIBOC, Kerala State Unit for unstinted support extended to the just cause.  Our special thanks to the leadership of the FBOA Com.P.V.Mathew, General Secretary and their Office Bearers for their timely action and to Com.V.K.Prasad for maintaining utmost calm and trust on the Confederation to win the battle. We compliment our affiliates for the fraternal support.  We are thankful to the Management of the Federal Bank in assessing the situation rightly and considering just demand of the FBOA/AIBOC to reinstate Com.V.K.Prasad.

KUDOS TO OUR VALIANT COMRADES

OUR UNITY ZINDABAD

With greetings,

Sd/-

(G.D. NADAF)

GENERAL SECRETARY