ALL INDIA STATE BANK OFFICERS’ FEDERATION
(Registered under the Trade Unions Act 1926, Registration No: 727/MDS)
State Bank Buildings, St. Mark’s Road, Bangalore – 560 001
CIRCULAR NO.121 DATE: 18.12.2013
TO ALL AFFILIATES /MEMBERS:
SALARY REVISION – STRIKE ON 18TH DECEMBER, 2013
NATIONWIDE STRIKE BY SBI OFFICERS A GRAND SUCCESS
Kudos to our comrades all over the country for having demonstrated yet again unity and solidarity and in expressing their serious concern over the manner in which the current negotiations on the Salary Revision between the IBA and the representatives of the United Forum of Bank Unions are proceeding.
Our members are aware that the UFBU submitted comprehensive Charter of Demands both for the workmen and officers together during the end of the expiry of our 9th Bipartite settlement during the month of October 2012 with a view to commence negotiations in good time.
However, the IBA failed to respond positively. On the contrary, the IBA went ahead with usual tactics of putting the Management issues before the Unions and insisting for a settlement on those issues before they could examine our Charter of Demand and respond positively in the matter. Thus we have lost more than one year’s precious time thereby causing a lot of heartburn and unhappiness amongst the Offices and employees in the industry.
2.The strike on 18th December 2013 could not be avoided due to the casual approach of the Indian Banks’ Association in dealing with the sensitive issue of the salary revision. The IBA convened a meeting on 14th December 2013 and conveyed its offer. The deliberations were highly provocative and atrocious.
The IBA also made it clear that the Government is not in favour of introduction of 5 days banking. The other major issue of compassionate appointment is under consideration of the Government, since a long time. What is astonishing is its stand that it would discuss salary revision only upto scale III thereby showing its ugly attitude towards the unionization of the bank officers’ fraternity. Quoting the increasing cost on account of pension, the declining profits etc., it made an offer of 5% over the wage expenses covered by the pay slip components and that the offer is exclusive of the cost on other components including superannuation benefits.
There is a need for us to be more circumspect about these attempts by the IBA before we commit anything on the changed approach towards the salary revision. However, the Federation shall not allow any division in the rank and file by segregating officers upto scale III and above.
The offer of 5% which was made to the representatives of the United Forum of Bank Unions as increase in the salary during the current bipartite was therefore highly provocative and indicative of the casual attitude of the IBA representatives towards our unions in the banking industry. It is in this background, when the UFBU decided to go ahead with the strike action, the Federation decided to jump into action programme with all its strength at its command. The strike participation by the Federation has sent a strong message to the Government and other agencies and their last moment attempt to thwart the strike action could not succeed.
3.We have received reports from all our affiliates about the total participation of our members across the country sending strong signal of the unity and solidarity of our membership all over the country to the Government and other agencies concerned. We are also happy to understand that our leadership in the Circle head quarters and all other major centers were in forefront in leading the rallies, processions and also ensuring the total participation of the employees and officers in the banking fraternity through their inspiring leadership and commitment towards the cause of the bank officers’ movement in the country.
A few instances of the over enthusiastic executives at lower level in our bank attempting to influence the senior officers to attend the office in the name of arrears clearance, NPA recovery etc., when reported the undersigned conveyed to the concerned that the Federation may not tolerate such attempts and it would lead to avoidable industrial relations irritation in the bank thus putting an end to all such attempts. We convey our congratulations to all our members for being with the mainstream of the officers and responding to the call of the Federation for one day token strike in total and thereby demonstrating their loyalty and commitment to the Federation, yet once again.
4.We are in touch with the leadership of the United Forum of Bank Unions and have been informed that the leadership of the UFBU will be meeting on 23rd December 2013 to take stock of the situation and prepare its future strategies for getting and fair and equitable salary revision for the Officers’ fraternity in the country. We are also in touch with the IBA and the Government officials with a view to convey to them our strong sentiment in the matter so that they cannot take the Officers’ fraternity in the industry for granted and treat our Charter of Demands in a casual manner.
5.Comrades, the present strike is only a warm up exercise. We may have to be prepared for a greater struggle and sacrifice in order to ensure a fair deal to our Officers’ community. We will not allow the IBA and the Government to take us for granted and attempt to nullify our efforts to get a better deal to the Bank Officers’ fraternity in the country.
6.We note to keep you advised of further developments in the matter in due course.
With revolutionary greetings,
(Y.SUDARSHAN)
GENERAL SECRETARY
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