Circular No. GS: 2009: 004 Date: 14.04.2009
TO ALL OFFICERS PLEASE CIRCULATE
Dear Friends,
We reproduce hereunder the Circular No. CIRCULAR/GS/2009/04 dated 13-04-2009 received from our Federation for your information.
With best regards
Yours sincerely
(C.A. MALLIKARJUNA RAO)
GENERAL SECRETARY
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We reproduce hereunder the circular received from AIBOC for your information:
“ORGANISATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS -
NEGOTIATIONS AT INDUSTRY LEVEL STALEMATED
WORKING COMMITTEE TO MEET ON 22.04.09
Friends, we have been receiving anxious enquiries from different parts of the country in regard to the present position of the negotiations with IBA on the issue of 2nd Option on Pension, Salary Revision and all other related issues. Apart from writing a letter, we are in constant touch with the Convener of UFBU for getting the latest developments in regard to the IBA’s stand on the various issues that were raised in the last Bipartite meeting and their response to our demand for an early resolution of all the issues that are pending before the IBA.
Our friends are aware that our last meeting with the IBA brought certain new elements in the discussions and put it as a precondition for the continuation of discussions in regard to the 2nd Option on Pension. The issue of 2nd Option on Pension according to our perception had reached the final stage and it was only a small accommodation here and there on the part of the IBA in regard to the sharing of cost etc. However, the Negotiating Team from IBA threw a totally new subject that is the introduction of defined contributory pension as a precondition for the conclusion of the issue of 2nd Option on Pension. We were not expecting this turn of events. The meeting ended without any forward movement, since the unions stoutly opposed the attitude of the IBA and its unhelpful attitude in resolving one of the long pending demands of the bank employees and officers which was under negotiations for quite a long time.
Thereafter the representatives of UFBU met the officials of the Banking Department, IBA Chairman, the Hon’ble Minister for Labour, the Hon’ble Minister of Finance, Government of India, to resolve the impasse created by the Indian Banks’ Association. The representatives of the Banking Department and also the concerned Ministries heard our views and agreed to issue appropriate directions to the IBA for resumption of the negotiations. However, when we approached IBA to find out their response, we were told that the Chairman of the IBA is placing the subject before the Management Committee and seek their views in the matter. Accordingly, the Management Committee met on 23.03.2009 at Hyderabad. We understand from the IBA quarters that there is no change in the stand of the Management Committee of IBA and they have only reiterated their earlier position as revealed in the last Bipartite meeting.
The Convener is also reported to have been in constant touch with the IBA to know the final outcome of the Management Committee Meeting. We had expected a meeting to be convened by the IBA before the end of March 2009. However, there is no response yet from the IBA and the officers’ fraternity all over the country is getting restless. In the meanwhile, the parliamentary election process is on. The confusion still persists as regards the application of the Election Code of conduct. However, the Government has approved the revision of salary scales in respect of the Public Sector Units and the necessary notification is awaited. Hence, there should not be any embargo as regards our negotiations as well. We have already requested the Convener of UFBU to insist for the next round of discussions to reach finality on the issue of 2nd Option on Pension and all other issues which are under negotiation. We are also aware of the efforts of some of our rival unions to misquote the views and stand of the Confederation through their circulars on the various issues connected with the negotiations. We would only advise our members not to be misled by such mischievous propaganda of our detractors and to go only by the official version that is issued by the Office of the Confederation. There is a need to display unity and solidarity in full measure, so that the rivals are not able to encash upon their mischievous propaganda. The official stand of the Confederation until the matter is discussed and debated in the Working Committee is that the Confederation is responsible for the progress in the negotiations in the matter of 2nd Option on Pension and the pre-conditions that are now on the negotiating table cannot be accepted by us since it has already been rejected during the course of Bipartite meeting.
In the meanwhile, it has been decided to hold Working Committee meeting on 22.04.09 at Bangalore in order to discuss the various issues confronting the banking industry including the ongoing negotiations with IBA and the stand that the Confederation should take in case the IBA is bent upon pursuing the issue of defined contributory pension as a pre-condition for the introduction of 2nd Option on Pension. The occasion also will be utilized to work out appropriate strategies for tackling other issues such as the issue of salary revision which should be compatible with and comparable to the 6th Pay Commission and all the issues raised in our last Charter of Demands submitted to the Indian Banks Association for their consideration.
All our members are requested to await for further developments in the matter.”
With greetings,
Yours sincerely,
SD/-
(D.S. BHADAURIA)
GENERAL SECRETARY
Circular No. GS: 2009: 003 Date: 03.04.2009
TO ALL OFFICERS PLEASE CIRCULATE
Dear Friends,
We reproduce hereunder the Circular No. CIRCULAR/GS/2009/03 dated 02-04-2009 received from our Federation for your information.
With best regards
Yours sincerely
(C.A. MALLIKARJUNA RAO)
GENERAL SECRETARY
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FACILITIES TO OFFICERS –REVIEW/REVISION BY MANAGEMENT
House Rent Reimbursement (RFA)
The last revision in ceilings of House Rent Reimbursement to officers was effected in June-July 2005. Consequent to steep increase in the house rent at all centres, the issue had been taken up with the management from time to time.
We are happy to inform you that the management has since revised the House Rent Ceilings w.e.f. 1st April 2009. The salient features are :
1. Till now only Mumbai was in A-1 Centre . Now Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai have been added to Centre A1 and hence the officers in these centres will become eligible for a higher quantum of House Rent Reimbursement as was applicable to Mumbai.
2. The increase in rent at A1 (Metro Centres) is Rs.1500/- from Scale I to Scale IV, for Centre A- (Hyderabad, Bangalore, Ahmedabad & areas contiguous to Mumbai that are beyond agglomeration) the increase is Rs.1200/- to Rs.1400/- from Scale I to IV and for other centres, i.e. B, C & D – the increase is Rs.500/- for all the scales.
3. While doing so, the contiguous areas to Mumbai but outside the agglomeration (upto which the local train facility is available in all the 3 railway routes i.e. Western, Central and Harbour Lines) has been grouped in Centre A which was hitherto Centre A1. Keeping in view the hardships faced by the officers in Mumbai, we are taking up this matter once again with the management for redressal.
Conveyance Reimbursement Scheme
In June 2007 certain amendments were made to Conveyance Reimbursement Scheme. Since these amendments were not in favour of the officers, the matter was continuously taken up with the management and discussed on several occasions. We are happy to inform you that the management has now considered our request and has amended the Conveyance Reimbursement Scheme. Accordingly:
i. from 1st April 2009, submission of bills/receipts for claiming reimbursement on cost of petrol basis has been dispensed with;
ii. the management will reimburse the expenses to the eligible officers only relying on the declaration of the individual officers, without calling/asking for the bills/receipts/details etc.
The above are the provisions which were available prior to June 2007. In other words the Conveyance Reimbursement Scheme to the officers shall be available as per the earlier scheme.
One more amendment made in the Scheme is that henceforth the annual ceilings will be applicable for the financial year i.e. from April to March instead of the calendar year as hitherto.
3. Lifting ban on purchase of new furniture at the residence of officers
Permitting retired officers to purchase the furniture supplied at their residence
You are aware that in June 2007 the Central Office had issued instructions banning purchase of new furniture for use at the residence of officers and also not to allow the retiring officers to purchase the furniture supplied at their residence.
Our organization had taken up the above matter with the management to have a review of the above instructions, considering the difficulties faced by the officers. We are now pleased to inform you that the management has since issued instructions viz.
i. lifting ban on purchase of new furniture for supply at the residence of the officers;
ii. permitting the retiring officers to purchase the furniture supplied at their residence as per the provisions of the scheme.
With these the above long pending issues have been resolved. The aberration shall be taken up with the management for redressal. We have also taken up with the management various other issues like Promotion Policy for Specialist Categories, Review of Transfer Policy etc. We shall inform you the developments in due course.
Meeting with the new Chairman & Managing Director of the Bank
The Principal Office Bearers of the Federation had called on Shri S. Sridhar, the new Chairman & Managing Director of the Bank on 17th March 2009 and had detailed discussions on various matters concerning the bank and the organization. The CMD spelt out his priorities and planning for achieving better results and to have an all round development of the bank. On this occasion the new Chairman & Managing Director was welcomed by the Office Bearers & Committee Members of our Mumbai Unit.
The Principal Office Bearers had taken an opportunity to meet our worthy Executive Director and the General Manager (HRD) and had brought to their notice the pressing problems of the officers and the organization that required urgent and necessary resolution. The matters are being followed up.
With greetings,
Yours sincerely,
sd/-
(D.S. BHADAURIA)
GENERAL SECRETARY
CBOA circular No. 2 dated 03.03.2009
Circular No. GS: 2009: 002 Date: 03.03.2009
TO ALL OFFICERS PLEASE CIRCULATE
Dear Friends,
We reproduce hereunder the Circular No. CIRCULAR/GS/2009/02 dated 28-02-2009 received from our Federation for your information.
With best regards
Yours sincerely
(C.A. MALLIKARJUNA RAO)
GENERAL SECRETARY
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We reproduce hereunder the Circular received from AIBOC for your information:
“TALKS WITH IBA ON WAGE REVISION & PENSION
IBA BECOMES ADAMANT
GET READY FOR AGITATION
We were having lot of hopes that, in today’s meeting (21.02.2009) with IBA, a breakthrough on Pension and Salary revision talks will be reached. Unfortunately, from the beginning, the IBA negotiating committee took an adamant stand to impose defined contribution pension scheme on new recruitees in Banks. The scheme which has been implemented at Central Government and few State Governments unilaterally, is yet to get an approval of the Parliament. There have been strikes by the Government Employees against the unilateral imposition of new pension scheme to new recruitees w.e.f. 01.01.2004. The bad experience of defined contribution scheme implemented abroad is cautioning the unions to resist the new scheme which is detrimental to the interest of the employees. The pension being a social security measure, neither the Government nor the Bank Managements can absolve themselves from their obligation. Nowhere in the country trade unions have become party to the new scheme. That apart, even the IBA is not clear about the proposed new scheme. It is not fair on the part of the IBA to link extraneous matter with the MOU issues. We have expressed our willingness to discuss the new pension scheme later, but IBA wants to settle this issue first before taking up 2nd option on Pension & Salary Revision for discussion. Naturally, UFBU cannot buckle to the pressure of the IBA/Government thereby enabling them to push through a disputed agenda on priority. Hence, UFBU has decided to take up the matter with the IBA Chairman & the Government for amicable settlement on urgent basis. If good sense does not prevail upon the Government/IBA, the UFBU will be forced to take the line of agitation including strikes during March 2009. We are aware that membership is ready for any action to clinch the legitimate long pending demands, but it is necessary to prepare them for long drawn struggle. We, therefore urge upon our affiliates/members to keep the powder dry and be in readiness to jump into action at short notice.
Friends, many a battles we have fought, not a single we have lost. Victory will be ours. We reproduce hereunder circular of UFBU dt.21.02.2009, for your information.
“TEXT OF UFBU CIRCULAR NO:4, DATED 21ST FEBRUARY,2009
“Today, another round of talks took place with the IBA in Mumbai on our pending demands of pension option and wage revision.
1. Pension option: - As mentioned in our earlier circular, IBA insisted on introduction of new pension scheme i.e. defined contributory scheme on the lines of the scheme unilaterally introduced by the Central Government since 2004. After discussions, IBA stated that while some option can be given to the new recruits to choose between the existing pension scheme and the new pension scheme, within a period of three months, such an option facility can be available only for one year and thereafter, the new pension scheme should alone be operative for the new recruitees.
After mutual consultation, from UFBU we offered as under:-
a) Existing scheme to continue.
b) IBA should give the full details of their proposed new pension scheme.
c) After study of the new scheme, IBA & UFBU can discuss the feasibility of introducing the new scheme after one year for the new recruitees.
d) In the meantime, the issue should be delinked and option for the existing employees should be extended by finalizing the sharing formula without any further delay.
IBA informed us that they do not have any mandate to agree to our proposal but agreed to go to their Managing Committee scheduled on 27.2.2009 to discuss our proposal and thereafter would come back to us. However IBA reiterated that any resolution of our demand for pension option for the existing employees will have to be comprehensively resolved including a scheme for the new recruitees.
Wage Revision:- On wage revision, IBA informed that they do not have mandate to go beyond the earlier offer of Rs.3600 crores and hence cannot improve their offer any further.
In the light of above approach of the IBA, the UFBU met thereafter and felt that IBA is trying to go beyond the MOU of February, 2008 wherein no such conditionalities were informed by IBA on pension scheme. The meeting felt that in the matter of wage revision also, the IBA attitude was unreasonable since given the reasonable demand submitted by us, their offer falls far short of making any ground for a settlement.
Hence, the meeting decided that while we should take up the matter immediately with the Government and IBA Chairman to impress upon them to expedite the resolution of our above demands, the rank and file should be kept in readiness for agitation programmes including strike action, should the IBA and Government try to impose their conditions and thus delay settlement.
The meeting decided to immediately meet and submit a memorandum to Finance Minister, Labour Minister, Chairman of IBA and Chairman of Negotiating Committee in this regard.
Friends, it appears that our patience and reasonable approach are being misunderstood as our weakness. Our genuine demands are being delayed due to their rigid attitude and approach. It is time to get ready for action. We shall briefly wait for the response of the IBA and the Government and give the call for action programmes.”
With greetings,
Yours sincerely,
sd/-
(D.S. BHADAURIA)
GENERAL SECRETARY
Circular No. GS: 2009: 001 Date: 31.01.2009
TO ALL OFFICERS PLEASE CIRCULATE
Dear Friends,
We reproduce hereunder the Circular No. CIRCULAR/GS/2009/01 dated 28-01-2009 received from our Federation for your information.
With best regards
Yours sincerely
(C.A. MALLIKARJUNA RAO)
GENERAL SECRETARY
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We reproduce hereunder the Circular received from AIBOC for your information:
“FONDATION CONFERENCE OF
ALL INDIA NATIONALISED BANKS’ OFFICERS’ FEDERATION
A GRAND SUCCESS”
Hon’ble Minister of Tourism, Small Scale and Cottage Industry, Government of West Bengal, Shri Manabendra Nath Mukherjee inaugurated the Foundation Conference of All India Nationalised Banks’ Officers’ Federation, held at Kolkata on 18.01.2009. In his inaugural speech, he said that, the present global financial recession is a crisis of system not that of management. The economic policy of our country is dictated by World Bank, IMF and WTO. There is no alternative for our Government than to follow the dictate. The Policy is not good for the common man. The opening up of Banking Industry and full convertibility of rupee has to be opposed by all. There is a need to come together to protect our economy, said Shri Mukherjee. He praised the contributions of unions in the banking industry and Left Parties in averting major financial crisis.
Shri K.R.Kamath, Chairman and Managing Director of Allahabad Bank was the Chief Guest. In his address, he stressed the need of the Public Sector Banks to expand their branch network to serve the rural population. He gave a detailed account of IBA’s view on issues before the banking industry such as Recruitment, Outsourcing, 2nd Option on Pension, Salary Revision, Consolidation etc. He expressed his anguish that, banking industry is unable to attract the best talents from the market. The Banks being commercial organizations have social obligations also. He praised the Bank Officers and Employees for coming up to the expectation of the Government in implementation of the Debt Waiver Scheme before the deadline fixed by the Government of India. He cautioned the officers to be vigilant and aware of accountability in exercising the authority. The manpower issue has been taken seriously by all Banks to infuse fresh blood in the banking industry. He wished the Conference all success.
Shri. S.R.Sengupta, Former General Secretary of AIBOC was Guest of Honour. In his address, he narrated the brief history of emergence of AIBOC in 1985 and its objects etc. He was proud to refresh the memory of the members that, AIBOC observed two days strike and mobilized opinion of the Members of Parliament in referring back the “Bank Privatisation bill” introduced in the Parliament to the Standing Committee and thus preserving the public sector character of Commercial Banks. He advised the leadership to pursue the ideology of the Confederation along with the task of improvements in service conditions of its members.
Shri.G.D.Nadaf, General Secretary, in his key note address, dealt in detail on the issues before the unions in the banking industry and the efforts of Confederation through UFBU to clinch long pending issues such as 2nd Option on Pension & Compassionate Appointment Scheme along with better pay package from 01.11.2007. He stressed the need to recruit adequate number of clerical and supervising staff to take care of increased workload at branches. The officers, apart from anxiously waiting for enviable pay package are also awaiting the relief in the form of regulated working hours. The Bank Managements should be more practical in assessing the accountability aspect keeping in view the constraints at branches. The consolidation and competition cannot go hand in hand. Therefore, there is a need to expand the network through opening of branches in un-banked areas and to provide adequate manpower to cope up with the pressure. The Confederation is of the strong opinion that there is a need to nationalize the Private Sector Banks for better social justice to the rural poor. The outsourcing and CTC-based wage packages are not suitable to the banking industry which require loyal and permanent staff to attend to the needs of the common man. The Public Sector Banks being the custodians of the trust of the common man have to strive hard to come up to their expectations. He assured to the Managements that, Confederation is trying through its members to come up to the expectations of the Government/Management/Public, but at the same time, the genuine demands of the Officers have also be considered more sympathetically by the IBA/Government, said Shri Nadaf in his inimitable style.
Shri. V.Eswaran, President of AIBOC, in his presidential address said that, AIBOC is the torchbearer in the banking industry which is marching ahead with a motto of service to the common man. Due to US crisis, 7.5 million people lost their jobs. The de-regulation in the banking industry through passing of Financial Sector Freedom Act, 1999 in US is the main cause for the global crisis. He was critical of the Government’s policy to amend the Insurance Act, paving way for privatization and increasing the FDI from 26% to 49% welcoming foreign capital. Though the capital base of LIC is at Rs.5 crores, its total assets are more than 7 lakh crores. The contributions of LIC to the economy of the country cannot be measured.
The Foundation Conference commenced with prayer and welcome address by Com.Dipankar Mukherjee, State Secretary. The Centenary Auditorium of the Calcutta University was bubbling with enthusiastic delegates and observers well before the scheduled time of Inaugural Session. The leaders and guests were received with shouting of slogans. The dais was well decorated. The Hall was overflowing with delegates, observers and invitees. There was a festive look everywhere. The inaugural programme ended with vote of thanks by Com.Dipankar Mitra, President of the State Unit.
Thereafter, business session commenced with sharing of organizational developments from Shri.G.D.Nadaf, General Secretary, AIBOC. He gave a brief account of position of bi-partite discussions and other issues before the IBA for resolution. He moved a resolution to form an exclusive Sectoral Federation, as provided in the Constitution of the Confederation for the officers of the Nationalised Banks in the name of “All India Nationalised Banks’ Officers’ Federation”. The proposed Federation is a wing of AIBOC and its object, policy resolutions, bye-laws etc. are in conformity with that of the Confederation. The proposal was adopted by the delegates with thunderous applause. He placed before the General Body the proposed policy guidelines and bye-laws of the AINBOF. The proposals were approved by the House. The General Council of AINBOF elected S/Shri V.Eswaran, (Bank of India), P.K.Sarkar, (Union Bank of India) K.Ramakoteswar Rao, (Andhra Bank) K.S.Shetty (Syndicate Bank) and S.A.Manjrekar (Syndicate Bank) as Chairman, President, Working President, General Secretary and Treasurer of the newly founded Federation. The General Secretary of our Federation Shri D.S.Bhadauria has been elected as Vice President of this new body.”
With greetings,
Yours sincerely
sd/-
(D.S. BHADAURIA)
GENERAL SECRETARY
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