CBOA-AP CIRCULAR NO. 27 DATED 31.07.2012

CBOA-AP issued its circular No. 27 dated 31.07.2012 reproducing the circular issued by AICBOF on “Talks with IBA”. We are placing the same here for our readers.

CIRCULAR NO.: GS: 2012: 027                                                        Date: 31.07.2012

TO ALL OFFICERS                                                               PLEASE CIRCULATE

Dear Friends,

We reproduce hereunder the Circular No. CIRCULAR/GS/2012/25 dated 27.07.2012 received from our Federation for your information.

With best regards                                                                      

Yours sincerely

Sd/-

(C.A. MALLIKARJUNA RAO)

GENERAL SECRETARY

……...............................................................................................

“We reproduce hereunder the communication received from UFBU for the information of all officers and you are requested to be in readiness for an intensified agitational programme that will be decided and intimated in due course.

TALKS WITH IBA

“Consequent to our strike notice and the conciliation meeting held by the Dy. CLC, there was a bipartite meeting between IBA and UFBU in Mumbai on 24-7-2012.  IBA team was led by Mr. Alok Mishra, Chairman of IBA. He explained in detail all the issues and demands raised by us in the strike notice. We pointed out that there is increasing tendency of unilateralism undermining the long established tradition of bilateralism in the banking industry.  Numbers of guidelines are being issued by the Government on HR matters which have been bilaterally settled in the Banks.  We expressed our strong protest against the undue delay in implementing the revised scheme on compassionate ground appointment and financial compensation.  We submitted that instead of resorting to adequate recruitments in the Banks through revival of BSRBs, there are attempts to outsource the regular banking jobs.  We also drew their attention to our important demands like improvements in pension scheme, regulated working hours for officers, uniform guidelines on staff housing loan, etc.  We expressed our strong opposition to the recommendations of Khandelwal Committee Report and the overt and covert attempts to implement them unilaterally without reference to or discussions with the unions.

We also stated that while UFBU is fully committed to the success and progress of public sector banks and meeting the challenges facing the banking sector, the reforms being proposed by the Government are not warranted and hence not acceptable. 

Reacting to our submissions, Mr. Alok Mishra stated that IBA is also committed to bilateralism but is acting on the basis of the mandate received from the member Banks.  Hence it has limitations of negotiating only on those issues for which the member Banks give their mandate to IBA.  However, he said that IBA has taken serious note of our viewpoints and on issues like compassionate appointment scheme, housing loan guidelines, etc. they would pursue the matter with the Government where the issues stand referred.  Though

IBA’s attitude was earnest during the discussions, they could not give positive commitment on any of the issues nor agree for time bound solution to our demands.

UFBU Meeting:  After discussions with the IBA, the UFBU met and observed that in the absence of any favourable development or acceptable solutions to our demands, it is necessary for us to continue with our agitation and strike actions which were temporarily deferred due to the intervention of the CLC and his suggestion to sort out the issues by mutual discussions.

However, having regard to the discussions held with IBA today, it was felt expedient and necessary to wait for about 10 days to look for further positive response from the IBA on our demands and thereafter revive our programmes and go ahead with our strike action as proposed on 22nd and 23rd August, 2012.  Units are requested to prepare the membership accordingly.

BANKING REFORMS:  The meeting took note that the Monsoon Session of the Parliament would begin on 8th August, 2012 and there are informations that the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill would be taken up for consideration and passage during this session.  All our units and members are fully aware that these wholesale amendments to Banking Regulations Act and Banking Companies (Acquisition & Transfer of Undertakings ) Act would adversely affect our public sector banks in particular and banking industry as a whole. Hence the meeting decided that we should continue and intensify our efforts against these unwarranted banking sector reforms.

The meeting further decided the following programmes:

a)  Massive Joint Demonstrations by UFBU on 8th August, 2012 in all State Capitals.

b) Readiness for instant strike as and when the Bill is taken up in the Parliament for    passage.

Friends, while UFBU is taking all steps to find amicable solutions to our long pending, genuine and reasonable demands, it is necessary for our members to be in preparedness for any struggle that will be warranted and forced upon us by the IBA and Government.

Unity is our strength.      Let us maintain it. 

Struggle is our weapon.  Let us be prepared for it”

We call upon all our members to observe the programme with befitting unity and enthusiasm. We shall keep the members informed of further developments in due course.

WITH GREETINGS,

Yours Sincerely,                    

Sd/-

(A.R. SAIFULLAH)                            

GENERAL SECRETARY