Monday, October 21, 2013

Anger Against Bank Union Leaders

IS A SEPARATE PAY COMMISSION FOR BANK STAFF REQUIRED NOW?---By Subramanian
This is a good question which is to be asked by all youngsters.
Now, let me explain.
Until 4th BPS, salaries and service conditions of bank staff were very good. Our leaders of those times were really selfless and made many sacrifices, undergoing untold suffering. They proved to the world the power and strength of bipartite negotiations between the managements and the true representatives of the staff. The bipartite mechanism worked very well, much to the envy of persons in all other industries and sectors. Banking sector showed the way for insurance and then followed Central PSUs and then Central/State Government staff.
But, the downhill journey of bank staff started from 5th BPS and it is still continuing.
In the aftermath of 5th CPC, our UFBU friends must have woken up; but, they did not.
Next came 6th CPC. At least this time, our friends should have realised their folly. No, they didn't.
If 8th BPS was a sell-out, 9th BPS was an act of betrayal. None of the staff felt satisfied, leave alone happy.
What happened in the 9th BPS?
For exercising second option for pension, all the staff in service had to forego about 4% of their wage increase (out of 17.5% increase) mutually agreed upon. Thus, the net increase in wages fell down significantly for the serving employees. They got only 75% of the promised hike in wages and they felt cheated.
To add insult to the injury, all serving staff who had not opted for pension in the past had to pay 2.8 times their revised pay for November, 2007 to fund the shortfall in the pension corpus. Because of this, thousands of staff did not get any arrears due to wage revision. On the contrary, thousands of staff had to pay from their pocket for getting pension benefit, over and above the arrears amount they must have otherwise got. This is the height of injustice and cruelty.
The old pensioners did not stand to any gain, because their pension was not revised in tune with the new pay scales and wages. They too were terribly disappointed.
Thus, the 9th BPS caused a great heartburn everywhere and it invited criticism and wrath from all sections - 1. Serving employees 2. New pension optees (in service) and 3. Old pensioners (already retired staff).
Then, whom did it benefit?
It benefited all the Trade Unions in banks at the national level (central unions), bank level and state level. They collected unprecedentedly huge amount as levy from the members and shared the booty (running into hundreds of Crores) among themselves in the pre-determined ratio. Thus, all the top union leaders literally rolled on money.
Now, we have come to the stage that these UFBU is no longer capable, effective and trustworthy and hence reverting to old type wage boards/commissions for bankers on the lines of Desai Award and Sastry Award is the only way out.
Nevertheless, this demand for a separate Pay Commission for bankers emanated only from the members. The Union leaders vehemently oppose the proposal citing historical reasons which are no longer relevant and no longer in existence today.
Now, you tell me, what shall we do?

Date: 21-10-2013                                                                                                        V Subramanian

5 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. Much is being said and written about the present pathetic condition of the banking fraternity and the down slide from once upon a time coveted bank job. None of the anger, dismay, frustration and the intellectual ideas are translating into reality at the ground level. Time is neigh to make the transition from paper tigers to assertive employees who play a critical function in the economy.

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  3. Dear Sir,
    I have been reading all your blogs since the Wage Revision topic started spreading all over India.The blogs are very interesting and it really gives a boost among the young bankers.
    I think we should go for a separate pay commission as the present generation will never stand by the UNION as they have become NPA to the association.They are just thinking about themselves like enjoying better postings in City Branches and their presence in branch also bring roadblocks in working as they too brainwash other staff members to become NPA for the branch.
    Sir I request you to create a platform so that the ill effects of Banking Industry which has been demolished by our so called future breadearners(UFBU) could bring a limelight in the society,we should start involving media communication for our future blogs.

    regards

    Dhruba Debnath

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  4. Union do not have enough courage to do this. They think about themselves that's why youngsters like me not devotees to ur union

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  5. We are waiting 10th Bipartite settlement since Nov 12 & efforts of our UNION LEADERS. One after one meeting date indicate us that we are being fooled by our OWN UNION LEADERS.
    Its true former union's efforts was fruitful but now it seems FUTILE.
    The demand of new association would not come fore if the honest effort was made. We, youngsters have no time to take part in such type of issues, we have our own life instead.
    but
    it cant be imagine how much pressure we young bankers bear everytime in the name of

    Future bankers
    Ombudsman
    Staff accountibilty
    Young bankers

    ......many more

    We always cheated by our own fellows

    MOREOVER OUR VOICE IS NOT HEARD AT ANY PLATEFORM WHETHER IT IS MANAGEMENT OR UNION

    that's why the voice of new association is always raised every hook & corner. The young bankers is really working hard & in return they are getting NOTHING.

    THE DECISION IS ON YOUNG BANKERS HOW THEY SHAPE THEIR FUTURE.

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