Sunday, September 20, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Time to Strike again
In the light of the latest offer made by the IBA, a meeting of the UFBU was held today (17-6-09) in Bangalore. Comrade K.S. Shetty (President, AIBOC) presided over the meeting. While the meeting was discussing the issue, the IBA informed the UFBU that their offer of 17.5% increase stands reduced to 15% in view of the advice received from the Government of India. In view of this unacceptable and provocative situation, the UFBU decided to take organizational decisions to achieve our demands. Arising out of today’s meeting, a letter has been addressed to the Chairman, IBA in this regard. The letter is reproduced hereunder which our members will find explicit. All our units and members are advised to keep in readiness to implement any programme that will be decided upon by the UFBU, should the IBA and the Government of India choose to persist with their provocation and confrontation with the bank employees and officers. Further developments will be informed to the units shortly.Text of the letter addressed to the Chairman, IBA by the Convener, UFBU.Dear Sir,This has reference to the last round of discussions held on 9.6.09 between IBA & UFBU on our current demands of wage revision and pension option.You will appreciate that the discussions were held in the background of the strike call given by UFBU and arising out of conciliation proceedings held by the Chief Labour Commissioner, Govt. of India and his advice to both the parties to sit together to find amicable and acceptable solution to the issues involved.
During the discussions held on 9.6.09, you would have observed that there were earnest efforts from the side of UFBU to find mutually acceptable solutions. Similarly we also felt that IBA was willing to resolve the demands amicably and expeditiously.On the issue of sharing the additional cost of pension, it was agreed that out of the total cost of Rs. 6,000 crores, Banks would take a share of Rs. 4200 and employees / officers would bear a cost of Rs. 1800 crores. Thus one important issue was mutually sorted out. As regards IBA’s demand that Unions should agree for implementing the New Pension Scheme for the newly recruited employees/officers, IBA came forward not to insist on this condition and would agree for continuance of the provisions of Pension Settlement to be available for all existing employees as well as for the new recruits joining the Banks upto 31.3.2010. From UFBU we expressed the view that the cut-off date should be 31.10.2012 i.e. co-terminus with the expiry of the proposed wage revision settlement. The issue was to be further discussed and sorted out.Regarding wage revision, to our demand for a minimum of 20% increase in wage bill, IBA was willing to increase their offer from 15% to 17% subject to the approval of the Managing CommitteeIn view of this positive climate from both sides to work out some acceptable positions, we offered to defer our strike action and continue the discussion with a request to the IBA to expedite the settlement in view of the growing anxieties of the bank employees and officers.IBA agreed to discuss the matter and inform us of their view on our demands. On 10th June, as assured, IBA contacted us and we were informed as under:1. IBA is agreeable to offer an increase on 17.5% over the wage bill as of 31.3.20072. IBA confirms that pension cost sharing would be Rs. 4200 & Rs. 1800 crores respectively by the Banks and employees/Officers.3. Existing pension scheme would continue to be in operation upto 31.3.2010.4. Other issues of IBA including outsourcing would have to be discussed and resolved.We had informed you that UFBU would meet immediately and submit our reactions to the IBA.For this purpose, UFBU meeting was held today in Bangalore to discuss the revised offer of IBA and take a view. But we are now surprised and shocked to be informed by IBA that as per the advice of the Government, the IBA cannot offer anything more than 15% increase.While the bank employees and officers are anxiously awaiting early conclusion of the discussions and arriving at a final settlement on their demand for a fair wage revision and an option for PF optees to join the pension scheme and while UFBU was looking forward to clinch a broad understanding on these demands in the background of the positive discussions held on 9.6.09, the IBA’s present stand point comes as a bolt from the blue and is very surprising and shocking. It is equally unfair since it amounts to going back on the offer made by IBA.UFBU, from its meeting in session now, rejects this offer of IBA as the same is totally unacceptable to us. UFBU also feels that this approach of the IBA/Government would constrain the UFBU to go back to its status-quo-ante position of agitation and strike which was deferred due to the positive approach of the IBA in the discussions held on 9.6.09.The UFBU feels that before we take any decision to react organizationally, we should meet the IBA Chairman to sort out the issues amicably on the basis of the discussions held on 9.6.2009.In view of the above, we shall thank you to provide us an early time convenient to you to enable us to meet you in person and submit our view points.Since IBA’s going back on its offer has created an extraordinary situation of provocation, we desire an urgent meeting with you.We await to hear from you before proceeding further.Thanking you,Yours faithfully,
Sd/-
C.H. Venkatachalam
Convener.
In the light of the latest offer made by the IBA, a meeting of the UFBU was held today (17-6-09) in Bangalore. Comrade K.S. Shetty (President, AIBOC) presided over the meeting. While the meeting was discussing the issue, the IBA informed the UFBU that their offer of 17.5% increase stands reduced to 15% in view of the advice received from the Government of India. In view of this unacceptable and provocative situation, the UFBU decided to take organizational decisions to achieve our demands. Arising out of today’s meeting, a letter has been addressed to the Chairman, IBA in this regard. The letter is reproduced hereunder which our members will find explicit. All our units and members are advised to keep in readiness to implement any programme that will be decided upon by the UFBU, should the IBA and the Government of India choose to persist with their provocation and confrontation with the bank employees and officers. Further developments will be informed to the units shortly.Text of the letter addressed to the Chairman, IBA by the Convener, UFBU.Dear Sir,This has reference to the last round of discussions held on 9.6.09 between IBA & UFBU on our current demands of wage revision and pension option.You will appreciate that the discussions were held in the background of the strike call given by UFBU and arising out of conciliation proceedings held by the Chief Labour Commissioner, Govt. of India and his advice to both the parties to sit together to find amicable and acceptable solution to the issues involved.
During the discussions held on 9.6.09, you would have observed that there were earnest efforts from the side of UFBU to find mutually acceptable solutions. Similarly we also felt that IBA was willing to resolve the demands amicably and expeditiously.On the issue of sharing the additional cost of pension, it was agreed that out of the total cost of Rs. 6,000 crores, Banks would take a share of Rs. 4200 and employees / officers would bear a cost of Rs. 1800 crores. Thus one important issue was mutually sorted out. As regards IBA’s demand that Unions should agree for implementing the New Pension Scheme for the newly recruited employees/officers, IBA came forward not to insist on this condition and would agree for continuance of the provisions of Pension Settlement to be available for all existing employees as well as for the new recruits joining the Banks upto 31.3.2010. From UFBU we expressed the view that the cut-off date should be 31.10.2012 i.e. co-terminus with the expiry of the proposed wage revision settlement. The issue was to be further discussed and sorted out.Regarding wage revision, to our demand for a minimum of 20% increase in wage bill, IBA was willing to increase their offer from 15% to 17% subject to the approval of the Managing CommitteeIn view of this positive climate from both sides to work out some acceptable positions, we offered to defer our strike action and continue the discussion with a request to the IBA to expedite the settlement in view of the growing anxieties of the bank employees and officers.IBA agreed to discuss the matter and inform us of their view on our demands. On 10th June, as assured, IBA contacted us and we were informed as under:1. IBA is agreeable to offer an increase on 17.5% over the wage bill as of 31.3.20072. IBA confirms that pension cost sharing would be Rs. 4200 & Rs. 1800 crores respectively by the Banks and employees/Officers.3. Existing pension scheme would continue to be in operation upto 31.3.2010.4. Other issues of IBA including outsourcing would have to be discussed and resolved.We had informed you that UFBU would meet immediately and submit our reactions to the IBA.For this purpose, UFBU meeting was held today in Bangalore to discuss the revised offer of IBA and take a view. But we are now surprised and shocked to be informed by IBA that as per the advice of the Government, the IBA cannot offer anything more than 15% increase.While the bank employees and officers are anxiously awaiting early conclusion of the discussions and arriving at a final settlement on their demand for a fair wage revision and an option for PF optees to join the pension scheme and while UFBU was looking forward to clinch a broad understanding on these demands in the background of the positive discussions held on 9.6.09, the IBA’s present stand point comes as a bolt from the blue and is very surprising and shocking. It is equally unfair since it amounts to going back on the offer made by IBA.UFBU, from its meeting in session now, rejects this offer of IBA as the same is totally unacceptable to us. UFBU also feels that this approach of the IBA/Government would constrain the UFBU to go back to its status-quo-ante position of agitation and strike which was deferred due to the positive approach of the IBA in the discussions held on 9.6.09.The UFBU feels that before we take any decision to react organizationally, we should meet the IBA Chairman to sort out the issues amicably on the basis of the discussions held on 9.6.2009.In view of the above, we shall thank you to provide us an early time convenient to you to enable us to meet you in person and submit our view points.Since IBA’s going back on its offer has created an extraordinary situation of provocation, we desire an urgent meeting with you.We await to hear from you before proceeding further.Thanking you,Yours faithfully,
Sd/-
C.H. Venkatachalam
Convener.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
News about BIPARTITE&PENSION 2nd OPTION
UCO Bank Employees' Union
328, Thambu Chetty Street,
Chennai – 600001
Unions defer strike plan after IBA softens stance
Bank unions have deferred their strike call for June 12 after the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) dropped certain pre-conditions and expressed willingness to improve its offer on the wage increase issue.
Climbing down from its earlier stance that it would go in for bipartite talks with the bank unions only if the latter withdrew the strike call, the IBA is understood to have come forward to hold discussions with the unions on Tuesday.
At a round of bipartite discussions held in Mumbai, the IBA also changed its stance on a earlier pre-condition that all new recruits to the banking sector should adopt the New Pension Scheme, which is a contributory scheme and not a defined benefit one.
“Since the IBA has changed its stance by not insisting on its earlier pre-conditions and also improved its offer on wage increase, we have decided to defer the strike and engage in further discussions with it,” Mr C.H.Venkatachalam, Convenor, UFBU, a representative body of nine bank unions, told Business Line.
Scheme for new recruits
IBA is understood to have said that the existing pension scheme will continue to be applicable to all new recruits up to March 31, 2010. But the UFBU has said that this should be extended up to October 31, 2012 and the matter should be reviewed thereafter. Both parties are to further discuss this matter, according to Mr Venkatachalam.
Wage hike
On wage increase, IBA was willing to improve its offer from 15 per cent to 17 per cent subject to approval by the Managing Committee. UFBU wanted IBA to further improve the offer to 20%.
Meanwhile, IBA and UFBU have agreed upon the manner in which additional pension costs of Rs 6,000 crore would be shared for providing another opportunity to certain bank employees to opt for pension scheme.
While the banks would fork out Rs 4,200 crore, the employees/officers would come up with Rs 1,800 crore as their share. Earlier, the IBA was insisting that employees/banks should contribute about Rs 2,500 crore towards the additional cost.
Benefit for employees
With this decision on sharing of additional pension costs, it is now almost certain that about 2,70,000 existing employees/officers and 50,000 retired employees will get the benefit of another option for pension.
Earlier, in the mid- 90s, they had opted for provident fund as a retirement benefit, but later wanted to move to pension. They are being given one more chance to opt for pension.
328, Thambu Chetty Street,
Chennai – 600001
Unions defer strike plan after IBA softens stance
Bank unions have deferred their strike call for June 12 after the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) dropped certain pre-conditions and expressed willingness to improve its offer on the wage increase issue.
Climbing down from its earlier stance that it would go in for bipartite talks with the bank unions only if the latter withdrew the strike call, the IBA is understood to have come forward to hold discussions with the unions on Tuesday.
At a round of bipartite discussions held in Mumbai, the IBA also changed its stance on a earlier pre-condition that all new recruits to the banking sector should adopt the New Pension Scheme, which is a contributory scheme and not a defined benefit one.
“Since the IBA has changed its stance by not insisting on its earlier pre-conditions and also improved its offer on wage increase, we have decided to defer the strike and engage in further discussions with it,” Mr C.H.Venkatachalam, Convenor, UFBU, a representative body of nine bank unions, told Business Line.
Scheme for new recruits
IBA is understood to have said that the existing pension scheme will continue to be applicable to all new recruits up to March 31, 2010. But the UFBU has said that this should be extended up to October 31, 2012 and the matter should be reviewed thereafter. Both parties are to further discuss this matter, according to Mr Venkatachalam.
Wage hike
On wage increase, IBA was willing to improve its offer from 15 per cent to 17 per cent subject to approval by the Managing Committee. UFBU wanted IBA to further improve the offer to 20%.
Meanwhile, IBA and UFBU have agreed upon the manner in which additional pension costs of Rs 6,000 crore would be shared for providing another opportunity to certain bank employees to opt for pension scheme.
While the banks would fork out Rs 4,200 crore, the employees/officers would come up with Rs 1,800 crore as their share. Earlier, the IBA was insisting that employees/banks should contribute about Rs 2,500 crore towards the additional cost.
Benefit for employees
With this decision on sharing of additional pension costs, it is now almost certain that about 2,70,000 existing employees/officers and 50,000 retired employees will get the benefit of another option for pension.
Earlier, in the mid- 90s, they had opted for provident fund as a retirement benefit, but later wanted to move to pension. They are being given one more chance to opt for pension.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
STRIKE DEFERRED
UCO Bank Employees 'Union
328, Thambu Chetty Street,
Chennai – 600001
UFBU DEFERS STRIKE
In the conciliation meeting held by Chief Labour Commissioner at New Delhi between IBA and UFBU on 4/6/09, the CLC had advised both parties to sit together across the table to sort out the issues. While from UFBU we had agreed to this suggestion in order to find amicable solution to our demands, IBA however took the stand that unless the strike is withdrawn, no talks would be held.
Hence UFBU decided to go ahead with the strike. In the face of our countrywide preparations for the strike, IBA changed their stand and came forward to hold further discussion on our demands.
Accordingly, a round of Bipartite discussion was held between IBA and UFBU today in Mumbai.
Arising out of the discussions, the following positions have emerged.
The precondition that the unions should agree for new pension scheme to be made applicable to the new recruits would not be insisted upon. IBA stated that the existing pension scheme will continue to be applicable to all new recruits upto 31/03/2010, but UFBU stated that this should be extended upto 31/10/2012, and matter should be reviewed thereafter. The issue will be further discussed.
Regarding sharing of additional pension cost, it has been agreed that banks would take a share of Rs. 4200 crores and employees / officers at Rs. 1800 crores.
To our demand for a minimum increase of 20% in the wage bill, IBA was willing to improve their offer from 15% to 17% subject to approval by Managing Committee. UFBU wanted IBA to further improve their offer to 20%.
In view of the breakthrough in the pre-conditions and the willingness of the IBA to finalise our demands with a positive approach within a short time, UFBU decided to defer our proposed strike on 12/06/2009.
It has been agreed that IBA and UFBU will meet again very shortly to finalise the understandings on our demands.
Comrades, our unity and our preparations for the strike have resulted in this breakthrough. We shall further continue our efforts to achieve our demands expeditiously.
Keep this unity in tact and keep the powder dry.
328, Thambu Chetty Street,
Chennai – 600001
UFBU DEFERS STRIKE
In the conciliation meeting held by Chief Labour Commissioner at New Delhi between IBA and UFBU on 4/6/09, the CLC had advised both parties to sit together across the table to sort out the issues. While from UFBU we had agreed to this suggestion in order to find amicable solution to our demands, IBA however took the stand that unless the strike is withdrawn, no talks would be held.
Hence UFBU decided to go ahead with the strike. In the face of our countrywide preparations for the strike, IBA changed their stand and came forward to hold further discussion on our demands.
Accordingly, a round of Bipartite discussion was held between IBA and UFBU today in Mumbai.
Arising out of the discussions, the following positions have emerged.
The precondition that the unions should agree for new pension scheme to be made applicable to the new recruits would not be insisted upon. IBA stated that the existing pension scheme will continue to be applicable to all new recruits upto 31/03/2010, but UFBU stated that this should be extended upto 31/10/2012, and matter should be reviewed thereafter. The issue will be further discussed.
Regarding sharing of additional pension cost, it has been agreed that banks would take a share of Rs. 4200 crores and employees / officers at Rs. 1800 crores.
To our demand for a minimum increase of 20% in the wage bill, IBA was willing to improve their offer from 15% to 17% subject to approval by Managing Committee. UFBU wanted IBA to further improve their offer to 20%.
In view of the breakthrough in the pre-conditions and the willingness of the IBA to finalise our demands with a positive approach within a short time, UFBU decided to defer our proposed strike on 12/06/2009.
It has been agreed that IBA and UFBU will meet again very shortly to finalise the understandings on our demands.
Comrades, our unity and our preparations for the strike have resulted in this breakthrough. We shall further continue our efforts to achieve our demands expeditiously.
Keep this unity in tact and keep the powder dry.
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