AIBOC CIRCULAR NO. 52 DATED 11.05.2012

AIBOC issued its circular No. 52 dated 11.05.2012 on UFBU MEETING AT BANGALORE. We are placing the same here for our readers.

CIRCULAR NO.52                                                    DATE: 11.05.2012

TO ALL AFFILIATES /MEMBERS:

UFBU MEETING CALLS FOR SUSTAINED STRUGGLE AGAINST INCREASING ATTACKS

We reproduce hereunder the text of UFBU Circular No.9 dated 11th May, 2012 contents of which are self-explicit.

With greetings,

Sd/-

(G.D. NADAF)

GENERAL SECRETARY

TEXT

Meeting of UFBU was held today in Bangalore in AIBOC Office. Com.Milind Nadkarni (NCBE) presided over the meeting.

The meeting observed a minute’s silence to condole the death of Com.R.N.Godbole, Founder General Secretary of AIBOC and paid rich tributes over his contributions to the cause of Bank Officers’ trade union.

A detailed report was presented by the convenor on the current developments and challenges in the banking sector. The meeting noted that the Government was taking steps to proceed with the passage of Banking law (Amendments) Bill, whereby there would be more liberalisation and de-regulations affecting both Public Sector Banks and Private Sector Banks. Increasing the voting rights is a step towards increasing the hold of the Corporates and foreign capital over the affairs of the Banks. The amendment to keep Bank mergers outside the purview of Competition Commission of India is nothing but an agenda to facilitate merger of Banks.

Further, recently, the Government has given administrative instructions to close down rural branches on the plea of viability and simultaneously expanding the scope of Business Correspondents, Ultra Small Branches, etc., which are only naked attempts to hand over rural banking to Private agencies. At a time when rural branch officers and employees are already under heavy pressure of work due to various Government schemes, etc., the Government is talking of downsizing staff in rural branches. The meeting made it clear that these policies are totally unacceptable.

In the matter of recruitment of employees and officers in the Banks, the IBPS and Banks are keen to implement the recommendations of Khandelwal Committee, which are not in the interest of the Banking Industry or the unemployed youth who are keen to join the Bank for their employment. Hence, the meeting felt that the whole process of recruitment should be better regulated and made more transparent. The meeting also pointed out that instead of going for adequate recruitments, there is increasing outsourcing of regular jobs affecting job security of bank employees and officers.

The meeting also noted that there is an increasing trend on the part of the Government to issue unilateral guidelines on various H.R issues affecting the service conditions of officers and employees without any reference to the existing bilateral settlements or discussions with the Unions/Associations. There are also various communications suggesting the implementation of Khandelwal Committee Recommendations without any discussions with the Unions/Associations.

The meeting was concerned to note that, on all our important pending issues like compassionate appointments, 5 days Banking, Regulated working hours, Improvement in pension regulations, Staff loans etc., the IBA and the Government have totally betrayed the hopes of UFBU, by not attending to any of these issues. There is a dead silence from IBA/Govt. on the contentious issues raised by the UFBU. On the other had, they have accelerated in imposing unilateral directions on bilateral issues.

Thus, a situation has emerged, where the IBA and the Government are confronting the UFBU and in this background the meeting after threadbare discussions has decided that sustained agitational programmes are warranted to meet the challenges. The meeting further noted that these are precursors to the hurdles that are likely to be created in the way of our wage revision due by the end of this year.

Accordingly, UFBU decided to undertake national level campaign on all these issues, attacks and challenges and build up struggle programme, culminating in 2 days strike during monsoon session of the Parliament in July, 2012.

Detailed Circular will be issued with the programmes to be undertaken, by our constituents.

In the meantime, to register our strong protest on the following imminent issues. It is decided to observe “ALL INDIA PROTEST DAY” on 21st May, 2012; with mass Demonstrations at all State Capitals and a Mass Rally before Parliament in Delhi on 21st May, 2012.

Issues: Against,

Ø  Banking Law (Amendments) Bill and other reform measures.

Ø  Closure of Rural Branches.

Ø  Increasing outsourcing of jobs.

Ø  Attacks on Trade Union Rights.

Ø  Government’s Unilateral directions on HR issues etc.

We are confident that, you will make the “ALL INDIA PROTEST DAY” successful. Await further agitational actions. Get ready for strikes.

With warm greetings,

Yours comradely,

Sd/-

(G.D. NADAF)

GENERAL SECRETARY