UNITED  FORUM  OF NATIONALISED  BANK OFFICERS’ ASSOCIATION

[UFNBOA]

/AINBOF - AIBOA-INBOC - NOBO/

Camp: Delhi

ALL INDIA BANK OFFICERS' ASSOCIATION

Circular No. 24 :V:2011

1.    Both Meetings of the Central Committee and General Council were presided over by our President Com Alok Khare.  The Meeting had the benefit of the presence of Com Mahesh Mishra from AIBEA.

5.    Noting the revival of UFNBOA , even though delayed, as a timely step for restoring justice on issues without discriminations, AIBOA has decided to forge ahead in the matter of smashing the stonewalling efforts of SBI Management and their Unions.

6.    On the ongoing Programs, welcoming the Joint actions of all Trade Unions , our CC called upon Units to support the Programs of the Central Trade Unions in full spirit. Even though we will not join “ Jail Bharo ” program , all the other demonstrative programs of the Central Trade Unions will be supported by AIBOA.

7.    Congratulating the AIBOA membership ford total participation in 5^th August Strike call of UFBU, the Meeting further exhorted our units to implement the calls of UFBU including opposition to Khandelwal Committee Recommendations, which hits the very root of collective bargaining.

8.    Reporting on the coordination between AIBEA & AIBOA, the CC was informed that in about 10 Banks, there has been an increase in Membership apart from IDBI, UTI  Asset Management Company Officers’ Associations, Uttarbanga Grameen Bank, joining our fold, there is need for more coordination at individual Bank level.  Accordingly the Coordination Committee has decided to call meeting of the Representatives of 3 Unions in Bank level during November 2011, to start  with.

13.   The CC congratulating the  ‘ Leadership Program ’ held at Tarak Institute, called upon State Committees to include the Trainees who attended the program in their Delegate List in addition to the normal quota. The CC  also decided to permit  State Committees to extend additional delegates to RRB and Cooperative Officers. Any request from State Committees for extra observers will be considered by the Steering Committee on specific requests. The CC called upon all the Units and State Committees to enlist souvenir collections immediately as only 30 days are left for the Conference.

15.   The CC appointed a Secretariat Committee in charge of Administrative and Publicity works of the Conference with :

The CC also appointed a Steering Committee with

ALL INDIA BANK EMPLOYEES' ASSOCIATION

ALL INDIA BANK OFFICERS' ASSOCIATION

CIRCULAR TO ALL UNITS                                                                                                                                                              30-10-2011

Charter of Demands

AGITATIONAL PROGRAMME

v)        16^th December,2011                      ALL INDIA STRIKE IN RRBs

Yours Comradely,

Circular Letter No31:V:2011

Dear Comrades.

      6TH CONFERENCE OF AIBOA @ CHENNAI : 7^TH – 9^TH DECEMBER, 2011.

COMRADES! Count down has begun and it is only 30 days for the sixth conference of our organization to be held from 7^th December, 2011 to 9^th December, 2011 at Chennai.

T A S K S:

CERTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATIONS REQUIRED FROM UNITS IMMEDIATELY BY THE CENTRAL OFFICE:

Circular Letter No.27:V:2011

Indian Bank Offices in Bihar have formed the Bihar Unit of the Indian Bank Officers’ Federation at Patna on 28.08.2011 with Com.Narendra Kumar as its General Secretary.

Like wise Union Bank comrades in Karnataka have formed the Karnataka Unit of All India Union Bank Officer Staff Association on 25.09.2011 with Com.Ranjit Kumar Das as the General Secretary.

Circular Letter No.26:V:2011

The agitation programmes start on 02.10.2011 with the publicity campaigns and culminating with a Strike action on 16.12.2011.

vii)           16^th December,2011                    S T R I K E

TEXT OF AIGBEA – AIGBOA CIRCULR letter No.2011/GS/16 DATED 13.09.2011

      Revised Govt. Guidelines on Festival Advance

TEXT OF IBA -HR & INDUSTRIAL RELATIONSNo.CIR/HR&IR/76/624C/2011-12/4000 DATED 09.09.2011

Festival Advance to employees of Public Sector Banks

Circular Letter No.23:V:2011

Circular Letter No.22:V:2011

In reproducing the declaration of the Convention, we exhort our Units and State Committees, to alert the members for extending support and solidarity to the  programmes and make the 08.11.2011 action in a grand success.

To press the above demands and to prepare for higher level of united action, the National Convention decides to hold Countrywide multiple forms of action such as SATYAGRAHA/JAIL BHARO, MASS SQUATTING etc. in all the state capitals and industrial centres on 8^th NOVEMBER 2011.

The National Convention also calls upon all the trade unions and workers and employees in general irrespective of affiliations to hold statewise and industrywise conventions to make the above programme a total success and prepare for countrywide GENERAL STRIKE as early possible in the next phase.

Circular No.23:V:2011

August 29, 2011 

To:

ALL UNITS / STATE COMMITTEES

Comrades,

 UFBU  PLATFORM  IS  ABUSED

 It has been observed in the last two meetings of UFBU at Delhi on 20.05.2011 and Bangalore on 10.08.2011 AIBOC representatives has used the UFBU platform to abuse AIBOA using derisive language accusing AIBOA and threatening action from IBA.

It is rather unfortunate that a Trade Union organization has become the mouthpiece of management threatening us distorting facts in the matter.

It is all the more shocking and unfortunate that UFBU forum is allowed to denigrate AIBOA and such verbal umbrages are allowed by the UFBU  without any restraint on AIBOC.

While AIBOA  as an organization which fought for pension scheme in Banks staying away from talks with IBA for about 2 years, is fully aware of the consequence of our action, it does not lie in the mouth of AIBOC using UFBU platform to blackmail us with threats.  As we understand the panic of AIBOC-SBI on our challenging the payment of allowance, we also appreciate the dilemma on account of judgement that will entail additional cost on Banks.  AIBOC wants to save management cost?

Our plaint in the court and our submissions clearly reveal that what is prayed is the extension of allowance to all Banks as one in SBI and not any challenge of the settlement by IBA.  The introduction of the clause on Govt., concurrence and payment by allowance after nearly 1 year of implementation of the settlment in other Banks clearly lays bare the role of all the players in the settlement to give extra money in SBI after settling the dust and storm against SBI pension issue where as in the case of one more option extended on request by unions where there  cannot be any compensation and that is why unions agreed to pay the amount for improvements of pension in SBI finding solution to the issue

AIBOC SBI’s panic driven attacks against us is understandable since the case is further strengthened by the observation of Institute of Chartered Accountant of India against huge provisions for pension fund in SBI dipping into their reserves to the extent of 9700 crores and current year provisioning to the extent of 1973 crores in the Balance sheet.  It is a simple question that when pension fund requires so much funding why SBI management paid the “earmarked amount” for allowance instead of crediting to Pension fund.

Instead of appreciating the demand of AIBOA to extend the allowance to all the Banks to uphold the Bipartite settlement, AIBOC has embarked on its negative role of threatening AIBOA in respect of bargaining counter which is not in any way undermined by our plaint before the court.

UFBU platform has been polluted with Anti-AIBOA venom by SBI representative and it is unfortunate that the meeting instead of discussing pending issue has downgraded itself to accuse us even though UFBU had given the choice to  individual unions to pursue the issues.

We call upon our members to ignore the panic signal of AIBOC in the matter and explain our principled stand to all members of Banking fraternity.

With greetings,

/R.J.SRIDHARAN/

GENERAL SECRETARY

Encl: Plaint copy excerpts & ICAI objection.

Plaint Copy Excerpts:

•      It is respectfully submitted that the State Bank of India Management in concurrence with the Central Government have caused increase in the wages for the employees of State Bank of India behind the back of all other Bank Employees in the country.   Thus the total pay packet identical and similar pursuant to the Joint Note/Settlement of 27.4.2010 with effect from 1.11.2007 is disturbed.  Further wherever differences existed earlier to 1.11.2007 is now being widened.  Bipartite Settlement out of direct negotiations are for the purpose of creating and ensuring Peace and Harmony in the industry but not to create difference among the employees or widen the difference.

•     Therefore it is fair and proper that all the Bank Employees in the Country should also be paid the same additional payment at 6.5 % of the basic pay for Officers and 6.4% of basic pay for Award Staff, as being paid to those in State Bank of India. 

•     Hence left with no alternative the Petitioner Association is constrained to invoke the Writ Jurisdiction  under Article 226 of Constitution of India for directing the Respondent Banks to pay  to their employees at 6.5% of basic pay for Officers and 6.4% of basic pay for Award Staff in the form of an Allowance every month. 

•     In the circumstances above stated it is respectfully prayed that this Hon’ble Court may be pleased to issue a Writ of  Mandamus or any other writ or order or orders of like or any other nature directing the third to twenty-second Respondents to pay their officer employees every month at 6.5 % of their basic pay as additional allowance not in the nature of Special Allowance bearing Dearness Allowance  with retrospective effect from 1.11.2007 and render justice.

•     In the circumstances above state it is humbly state that this Hon’ble Court may be pleased to issue an Order of Direction directing the third Respondent to twenty-second Respondent[PSBs] to pay their officer employees an additional allowance not in the nature of Special Allowance bearing Dearness Allowance at 6.5% of their basic pay effective from date, pending disposal of the Main Petition and render justice.

SBI irked by ICAI publicly questioning provisioning [Livemint-Aug, 18, 2011]

ICAI wants reasons for higher provisioning in Jan-Mar quarter; bank, experts say it cannot pose such questions - Dinesh Unnikrishnan

Mumbai: India’s largest lender and the national chartered accountants’ body are at loggerheads. At the heart of the issue is a sudden rise in State Bank of India’s (SBI) provisions requirement.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (Icai) wants to know the reasons behind this, but state-run SBI said the institute cannot raise such questions; it can only ask the auditors who are its members.

Raising concern: ICAI president G.Ramaswamy raised the issue of SBI’s provisioning at a public function even before writing to the bank.

In the January-March quarter, SBI had set aside Rs6,059 crore as provisions towards pension liabilities. This was 82% higher than what the bank had provided for in the year-ago quarter. In the preceding quarter, too, the provision had been smaller—Rs2,051 crore.

ICAI wrote to SBI in June, wanting to know the reasons for such a sharp rise.

“We have responded to the body. We also want to know why ICAI has gone to the press (making the issue public),” said an SBI official who did not want to be named.

ICAI president G. Ramaswamy had raised the issue at a public function even before writing to the bank.

The accounting body “decided to send a letter to SBI to enquire about the reasons which led to an increase in provisions,” PTI had reported in June, citing Ramaswamy.

The ICAI president was also reported as saying it planned to write to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and capital market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India on the matter.

“If they feel that something is wrong with the bank’s auditing, Icai should ask their own members,” the SBI official said.

High provisions led to a 99% drop in SBI’s net profit to Rs20.88 crore for the quarter ended 31 March from Rs1,866.6 crore in the year earlier.

According to the official, “there is nothing wrong” with SBI’s accounting practices and the provisions in the March quarter were largely on account of the pension liabilities.

“They (ICAI) have no authority to question us,” said a second SBI official.

ICAI’s mandate doesn’t allow it seek an explanation from the bank, and its powers are limited to members who audit the balance sheet, according to some experts.

“The body is not empowered to seek explanation from a bank, but can surely do that to their members. At the same time, banks are answerable to the public and the regulator as they are dealing with public money,” said the chief financial officer of a Mumbai-based private sector bank. He declined to be named.

ICAI did not immediately respond to an email seeking a response on the matter.

Banks are fully in compliance with guidelines on financial numbers, said Bhasker Sen, chairman and managing director of United Bank of India. “RBI guidelines are very clear on accounting, classifying of assets, and provisioning. We fully go by that. Icai can set guidelines for auditors. That is an issue between the accounting body and its members,” Sen said.

Incidentally, the banking regulator has expressed concerns over the trend of banks reporting a drop in profit after a change at the top. In late June, RBI deputy governor K.C. Chakrabarty said banks’ profit figures should not fluctuate too much with shifts in personnel.

“If a bank gets a new chairman and then its financial numbers undergo great volatility, there is a problem. We must ensure that it does not happen time and again, because at the end of the day, it is very important to maintain the quality of our banks,” Chakrabarty said.

According to him, such variations can create doubts in the minds of the people and there needs to be consistency, which otherwise raise concern.

SBI’s profit dropped 99% in the March quarter, shortly after Pratip Chadhuri took charge as chairman from O.P. Bhatt.

In the June quarter, SBI’s provisions rose 168% to Rs4,157 crore. It has set aside Rs2,782 crore to provide for bad assets.

Circular No.22:V:2011

August 25, 2011

To:

ALL UNITS / STATE COMMITTEES

Comrades,

AIBOA SALUTES ANNA FOR HIS FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION.

Anna Hazare's fast has entered the tenth day.  His resolute fight against corruption in all walks of life causing concern to ordinary citizen of this country evoking all round response irrespective of the age.  Scores of people cutting across all walks of life pouring in the Ramlila grounds speaks for the internsic strength of the demand raised by team Anna and also the participation by common people of the country side confirm the agony that an individual pass through.

Corruption free India will enhance the growth of the nation allround.  As on date, even with the present situation the GDP growth rate is hovering round 8% to 9%. While it is expected of the government to smoothen the process of introduction of the Lokpal after 64 years of independence, the dilly dallying tactics of the negotiators in the name of norms and forms are not going to be accepted by the people.  The government taking the shelter that there is no consensus amongst the political parties is also not convincing.

AIBOA, an organization with firm conviction on value based approach in furthering the common cause in the banking fraternity, salutes the team India and also Shri Annaji in achieving the set goal and sees a definite prospect of cleaner, cheaper more efficient banking to millions of those engaged in production and the common people who are getting more access to Banking on account of Nationalisation.

We hope that the spirit of Gandhian struggle which is unique only to India is being revived by Anna Hazare to embrace millions of youth of our country to build India on corrupt free and our own model of Development to serve the poor and deserving people of our country.

We hope that the writing on the wall is seen by all powers that be to end the stalemate, save the precious life of our Gandhian Hazare and expeditiously adopt “CORRUPTION HATTO” legislation.

ANNA LAL SALAM LAL SALAM.

With Greetings,

/R.J.SRIDHARAN/

ALL INDIA UTI [ AMC] OFFICERS ASSOCIATION DEFERED THE STRIKE CALL

 IN RESPONSE TO THE APPEAL MADE BY THE DY.C.L.C.(CENTRAL).

THE CONCILIATION IS SLATED TO TAKE PLACE ON 08.09.2011.

Circular No.20:V:2011

August 9, 2011

To:

ALLUNITS / STATE COMMITTEES

Comrades,

Ø  Regulated working hours for Bank Officers Brooks no delay

Ø  Perpetuation of discrimination and disparity between SBI officers and Nationalized Banks’ Officers

Pursuant to our Silver Jubilee Year Conference at New Delhi in February 2006 deciding to launch organizational action in pursuit of our demand for a regulated / defined working hours for officers, the Central Committee meeting held at Bhopal gave the programmes of action which was observed by our members.

Since in the Bangalore CC meeting it was decided to broad base the agitation with INBOC also expressing its willingness to join the struggle, common programmes were being worked out.

As decided by the Central Committee meeting held at Mahabalipuram during April 19^th & 20^th , 2011 the office bearers have formulated the programmes of agitation to be observed by our members throughout the country.

When the Nationalized Banks’ officers were already smarting under the discriminatory nature in their important economic dispensation since such disparity has been perpetuated since 1979 [when PCR was implemented for us in July 1979 and for SBI officers from October 1979 when huge DA tranche was made available to them in August 1979] and further accentuated in the one time  120 cores special package for SBI officers during the Pension settlement for us in 1993, now further insults have been heaped when in the name of SBI Pension balancing, in service officers are given  130 crores in gross violation and sanctity of the industry level MOU signed on 27.11.2009 and Joint Note signed on 27.04.2010, as per which it should be appropriated towards shortfall in Pension fund.

Comrades!  As both these issues have been highlighted , taken up byour orgnaistion with allthe authorities concerend and yet no resolution is insight it has been decided to immediately involve our members in the organisational programmes as under –

v  Submission of Memorandum by Members

This programme has to be carried out by all Units through Mass memorandum by members to be carried out during the period 20.08.2011 – 30.09.2011.

v  Deputation by Regional/Circle/State/Zonal/All India Leaders

The delegation of the leaders to meet at Regional/Circle/State/Zonal and All India heads when memorandum will be submitted to them    -

[This progamme to be carried out during October 2011- November 2011.

Comrades!  It is AIBOA which pioneered the championing of the issue of demand for a regulated working hours for officers, struggle and also brought this issue to sharp and central focus much before others came into the pictures.  Similarly the issue of parity between SBI and Non-SBI officers eluding solution for 30 years and now further precipitated with SBI pension balancing cost, has also been taken up by us only it is but fair non SBI offices are also extended this special package.

Hence it is our paramount duty to pursue these issues to logical conclusion.  If only the language of struggle can be understood by the authorities let us not lag behind or prevaricate or hesitate to commence early our struggle.

The 6^th Conference of our Organization, which will be meeting at Chennai from 7^th-9^th December 2011 shall decide further course of action including intensification of the struggles and if necessary direct action.

Implement the call with all earnestness these two issues deserve.  Your conviction and commitment will deliver the desired result.

With greetings,

/R.J.SRIDHARAN/

GENERAL SECRETARY

Encl: Memorandums

 MEMORANDUM

[Specimen]

[To be submitted by Officers]

                                                                                    Place:

                                                                                  Date:

To:

The Chairman

Indian Banks’ Association

Stadium House

Veer Nariman Road

MUMBAI

Through: Proper Channel

Sir,

We the Officers working in ___________________Bank________________Branch/Office endorse the view points of our National Organization – All India Bank Officers’ Association[AIBOA] and urge upon you to take expeditious steps to resolve both the issues viz., REGULATED WORKING HOURS FOR BANK OFFICERS and BRINGING ABOUT PARITY BETWEEN SBI AND NON-SBI OFFICERS in the matter of Pay, fitment, special packages etc., and extend the latest SBI pension balancing package allowance to Non-SBI officers also.

Thanking you,

Yours faithfully,

PRESIDENT                                                                                                                                       GENERAL SECRETARY

Circular Letter No. .20:V:2011

August 30, 2011

To:

ALL UNITS / STATE COMMITTEES

Comrades,

A VETERAN PASSES AWAY

It is with great sense of sadness, we record the death of Com.R.D.TRIVEDI on 4^th August, 2011.  He was the President of Gujarat Bank Workers’ Union at the time of his death.

Born in 1935, Com.R.D.Trivedi became the General Secretary of Gujarat State Federation of AIBEA.  He was instrumental in building a strong Unit of AIBEA in Bank of Baroda and later became its General Secretary.  His role in getting a consultative status for All India Co-ordination Committee in Bank of Baroda after and prolonged struggle for 90 days in Bank, is a milestone in the Bank of Baroda movement.

He was elected as the Assistant Secretary of AIBEA in 1971 in its Amritsar Conference and later became the Vice President in 2004.

His passing away is a great loss to AIBEA in general and the Gujarat State in particular.

We dip our banner in his memory and convey our deep sympathies to AIBEA men.

With Grief

/R.J.SRIDHARAN/

GENERAL SECRETARY

Circular No.15:V:2011
May 25, 2011

To:

ALL UNITS / STATE COMMITTEES

Comrades,

ENSUING CONFERENCE OF OUR ORGANIZATION

AT CHENNAI [TAMILNADU]

The Central Committee of our Association which met at Chennai on 19^th and 20^th April 2011 discussed the issue of holding the ensuing 6^th Conference of our organization.  In fact the preceding central committee held at Bangaluru was already informed that the conference should be held during the year 2011 and the timing and venue could be finalized in the next meeting.

Accordingly the Secretariat called upon the Units, during the recently held CC meeting, to express their opinion on this as well as taking up the task of holding the 6^th Conference befittingly.  It was how ever made clear to the units that the conference should be held before November 2011.  During the deliberations Delhi, Punjab, Rajasthan and Tamilnadu State Committees offered to conduct the ensuing conference of our organization, if opportunity is given to them.

The Central Committee thereafter resolved that the Central Office would appropriately take a decision on the offers made by the Units in the matter of holding the ensuing 6^th Conference of our organization.

Accordingly the Central Office after consulting Secretariat and after duly considering the offer made by the four State Units of our Association in the CC meeting has decided to accept the offer of the Tamilnadu State Committee to hold the ensuing conference of AIBOA at Chennai.

The Units and State Committees are thus informed that the next conference of our Association will be held in CHENNAI.  The Tamilnadu State Committee which has accepted the offer to host the next conference would finalize the venue conference at Chennai and the dates depending upon the availability of convenient hall for both the inaugural session and delegates session and inform us.  We shall there after communicate to the Units and the State Committees about the details like venue and dates of the ensuing conference etc.

We shall soon come out with the schedule relating to the conference and the prerequisites of the units in the matter of delegates/observers and their duty with regard to helping the host unit in the matter of comfortably conducting the conference like financial support etc.

Onward to the 6^th Conference of AIBOA at CHENNAI [Tamilnadu]

With conference greetings,

/R.J.SRIDHARAN/

GENERAL SECRETARY

CIRCULAR LETTER TO ALL UNITS                                                                                       11^th May, 2011

Dear Comrades,

·        Decisions of joint Office Bearers meeting to move together to strengthen our twin banners.

A joint meeting of the Office Bearers of AIBEA and AIBOA was held in Chennai on 15-3-2011 to discuss about the issues of co-ordination, joint functioning, strengthening AIBOA and its units, etc.  The meeting was jointly presided over by Com. Rajen Nagar, President of AIBEA and Com. Bhaskaran, Vice President of AIBOA.

After useful discussions and deliberations, the following decisions were taken:

1. The Apex-level Joint Co-ord. Committee of AIBEA and AIBOA should be held regularly and periodically.

2. Periodical review of the levels of co-ordination in various levels should be undertaken to remove difficulties, irritations, if any.

3. Special steps should be taken to streamline the relationship between our units of AIBEA and AIBOA in Punjab National Bank.

4. Joint meeting of our All India unions in Syndicate Bank, UCO Bank, Bank of Maharashtra, Punjab & Sind Bank, United Bank of India and Allahabad Bank should be held in the next few months.

5. The meeting noted that in Central Bank of India, due to the joint efforts, our AIBOA unit is increasing its membership and marching towards majority in that Bank.

6. In the next phase, co-ordination meetings would be held in other Banks.

7. State Federations of AIBEA should assist in strengthening the respective State Committees of AIBOA.

8. Joint movement of struggles should be undertaken on issues like banking sector reforms, outsourcing and attacks on job, Khandelwal Committee report recommendations, pending issues of employees and officers at industry-level and bank-level, etc both under the banner of UFBU as well as jointly by AIBEA and AIBOA.

9. Efforts should be taken to form AIBOA units in Banks and States where they do not exist now.

10. Next meeting of the Apex-level Committee should be held at the earliest to follow up these decisions.

Comrades, AIBOA had played a significant role in the last three decades in focusing the various issues concerning the bank officers and it has to expand its role and scope in the larger interest of bank trade union movement.  Hence strengthening AIBOA is the paramount task of all of us and we are sure that all our units will address themselves to these tasks effectively.

With greetings,

Yours Comradely,

 [AIBOA CIRCULAR NO. 14:V:2011 DATED 11.05.2011]

Circular No.13:V:2011

April 28, 2011

To:

ALL UNITS & STATE COMMITTEES

Comrades,

 AIBOA CC DECISION ON SBI BALANCING COST AND ITS DISCRIMINATORY DISPOSAL

Having heard the entire developments leading to the interpretations of the conditions for Govt monitoring in the disposal of SBI balancing cost to be expended only for improvement of Pension in SBI, AIBOA Central Committee, took serious note of  UFBU’s failure to stand on its pre settlement position of earmarking SBI pension cost only for pension improvements in SBI.  AIBOA felt that Govt having failed to stick to its assurance , the CC  has to fight for parity in the matter immediately and restore the  sanctity  of settlements with IBA.

While we have issued a separate Circular explaining as to how there was no demand for any compensation by any of the units at the start of wage negotiations and UFBU desired for one more Option except asking for same quality of earlier Pension and at negotiated cost to which all UFBU Units and their members are party .  Hence at a later date that too after signing the MOU, the demand was made and that too unmindful of the fact that it was not any new settlement of pension but was only one more  option to those who did not take the earlier option.

We feel SBI and Govt are adopting double standards and discriminatory attitude with ulterior motives creating division and to implement their agenda in the Industry.

AIBOA CC has called upon UFBU to hold on to its stand of having agreed for SBI Pension costing in a way to settle the Bipartite, to be used only for pension improvements in SBI , as otherwise the Forum will be betraying the hopes and confidence of members in all the Banks.

As a part of our efforts and struggle to call for parity ,  AIBOA have filed a Writ Petition in the Madras High Court for extension of the same allowances as given to SBI to all the Banks, in order to restore sanctity of Bipartite Settlements and we are happy that the Learned Judge Mr. Justice   N.Paul Vasantha Kumar  after hearing our prayer by our Advocate Sri E Prabu, has issued notice of motion , marking this case for further hearing. 

Please note that we have not prayed for any stay of allowances in SBI but only made our Prayer to extend the same allowances to all Bank employees and officers as UFBU settlement did not  envisage or settle.     

Wage settlement  for other banks at 16.5% or so and at 18.5% for SBI alone.

We hope all the constituents units of UFBU and more so majority members in all Banks  viz., All officers and employees will welcome our efforts to uphold uniformity of service conditions and sanctity of settlement in Banks.

With Greetings

/R J SRIDHARAN/

GENERAL SECRETARY

Circular No.11:V:2011

April 26, 2011

To:

ALL UNITS / STATE COMMITTEES

Comrades,

PAYMENT OF SUBCRIPTION AND LEVY

 The 5^th Central Committee meeting of the AIBOA held at our Institute at Mamallapuram expressed its serious concern over the non payment levy and subscriptions by some of our units especially when our  All India Conference is nearing where participation by Delegates will be on the basis of units complying with the requirement of payment of subscriptions upto and inclusive of 2011 and levy in full.

Noting that many Units which collected levy by check-off have also not cleared the levy in respect of wage settlement in full and All India Punjab & Sind Bank Officers’ Federation and All India Allahabad Bank Officers’ Federation are major defaulters besides many unions paying levy not in accordance with actual collections.

In respect of subscriptions only part payments are received from many of the Units on yearly basis.  The CC considering the budget of central office along with Tarak Institute at about one lakh monthly the part payment of subscription can hardly sustain AIBOA for 4 to 5 months a Year.  Hence the CC called upon all our Units to clear subscriptions upto and including 2011 by 31.05.2011 latest without any further delay.

AIBOA CC has directed all Units to clear both subscriptions a levy in full before 31.05.2011 and has authorized central office to strictly adhere to the terms of Rules & Bye laws in this regard and to allow only Delegates from such units which are clearing their levy and subscription in full as per decision of the CC.

All our Units are requested to take due note of CC decision and take immediate steps to comply with the decision without fail and in full.

With greetings,

/R.J.SRIDHARAN/

GENERAL SECRETARY

Circular No.10:V:2011

April 26, 2011

To:

ALL UNITS / STATE COMMITTEES

Comrades,

TARAK INSTITUTE

 Our just concluded 5^th Central committee held at our premises at Tarak Institute for Banking & TU Research at Mamallapuram discussed ways and means of making good use of the Institute by our unions and members for training, holding CC, Office Bearers meeting etc.

The CC noted that the Institute once it has become functional and has so far held more than 24 training sessions used by Banks, ourselves, Unions and our Units.  The project is an accomplishment as per Silver Jubilee conference decision.  The total investment in the self contained infrastructure is above 2 crores, out of levy donations from members and Banks.

In order to make full use of the premises it has been decided to undertake the following programmes in the Institute.

1.    Our regular training of our unit level activists and functionaries for 5 days will be held twice in a year instead of 4 times as of now.  All Units will have to sponsor 2 comrades each.  Units will bear the charges between themselves and the participants with regard to Travel, stay and food arrangements etc, and course fee at minimum rate.

2.    All our Units will have to hold atleast one meeting in the Institute premises once in 2 years ie; may be hold their committee meeting or Office bearers meeting or activists meeting or leadership programme or Defence camp and share the budget of the Institute in a small way.  Units will bear all charges of course with food and        for stay and use of hall for meeting.  Units will make travel arrangements.

3.    AIBOA shall hold Leadership Training programme of 50 comrades  for which every unit should give 5 names each so to build the team for the future with special emphasis on trade union challenges.  AIBOA shall charge only a nominal fees for this course for food and stay while candidates TA, Leave has to be borne by them only to foster better involvement.

4.    While presently 3 to 4 Banks are sponsoring their courses now, efforts should be made by all Units to bring more Banks to sponsor courses for 2,3,4 or 6 days which suitable best friendly syllabus will be adopted on consultative.

All the Units are directed to involve wholeheartedly in making optimum use of our Institute to train our comrades in banking as well as trade union programme.

With greetings,

/R.J.SRIDHARAN/

GENERAL SECRETARY

Circular No.9:V:2011

April 26, 2011

To:

ALL UNITS / STATE  COMMITTEES

Comrades,

AIBOA TRUST FOR UNORGANISED SECTOR RELIEF

It was at our Silver Jubilee Conference in 2006 we decided that our membership should be fully and actively involved in helping and rendering relief to Unorganized Sector on a regular footing and we registered our Trust on 29.07.2008.

We had also planned to start with to establish an Industrial Training Centre at Coimbatore – an Industrial city where on the job training and faculty training are available taking advantage of area of land offered by one of our affiliate to house the Institute.

Accordingly we have deposited an amount of Rs.4 lacs with the State Govt., to start the Institute.

With these moves, we have successfully obtained exemption from Income-Tax Commissioner for donations made to the fund exempt from Income-Tax and appealed to our comrades to donate one day wages to the cause of Unorganized Sector.

So far our separate account in the name of AIBOA TRUST FOR UNORGANISED SECTOR RELIEF has received a total of nearly Rs.9 lacs from our comrades.  Except for Gujarat State OBC Officers and a few Bank units collectively there has been no serious effort to involve the membership in entirety.

The Central Committee meeting considered the slow pace of collections as a serious lapse on our part especially on the units to ensure the same.

The CC having regard to the fact that the donations are payable every year also on account of exemption, decided to modify the call for one day wage to a uniform donation of Rs.1000/- from every year so that units may collect the amount easily from all our members by debit authority etc., also and send a consolidated list to us.

The CC has decided to initiate other programmes of help to unorganized sector, once this programme takes off on a sound footing and directed all our Units to collect from every member without fail.

Please move immediately and fulfill the task within 3 months.

With greetings,

/R.J.SRIDHARAN/

GENERAL SECRETARY

Circular No.8:V:2011

April 15, 2011

To:

ALL UNITS / STATE COMMITTEES      

Comrades,

UFBU MEETING AT DELHI 23.03.2011

We appended below the circular of United Forum of Bank Unions conveying the decision of the UFBU meeting held at New Delhi on 23.03.2011 for information of our Units / State Committee.

With greetings,

 /R.J.SRIDHARAN/

GENERAL SECRETARY

TEXT OF UFBU / 2011 / CIRCULAR No. 1  DATED  26^th March, 2011

Dear Comrades,

v  UFBU’s CLARION CALL

v  FIGHT BACK INCREASING ATTACKS ON BANKING SECTOR AND BANK EMPLOYEES/OFFICERS

v  RESIST RETROGRADE BANKING REFORMS

v  REPULSE ATTACKS ON JOBS AND JOB SECURITY

v  BUILD UP AGITATIONS AND STRUGGLES

v  GET READY FOR ALL INDIA BANK STRIKE

A meeting of the UFBU was held at New Delhi in AIBEA office on 25-3-2011.  Com Milind Nadkarni (President, NCBE) presided over the meeting.

After observing a minute’s silence to pay homage to the thousands of people who had lost their lives in the recent tsunami-earthquake in Japan, the meeting took up for discussion the current developments in the banking industry and our various pending issues and demands and the steps to be taken there against.

1.    BANKING SECTOR REFORMS

The meeting was concerned to note that the Government was taking all-out steps to implement their reforms agenda in the banking sector. Bills have been introduced in the Parliament to facilitate consolidation and merger of banks, to allow more FDI in banks, to allow proportionate voting rights to investors by deleting Section 12 (2) of Banking Regulations Act, exempting banking sector from the purview of Competition Commission to speed up merger processes, etc.  The meeting noted with grave concern the decision of the Government to issue licences to industrial and corporate houses to open more Banks in the private sector. In the public sector, the Government wants to close down our Banks in the name of consolidation but at the same time in the private sector, they want expansion by allowing more Banks.  Social role of public sector banks is sought to be diluted and micro financing is being virtually handed over to private hands who are exploiting and looting the gullible poor with usurious interest rates.

2.    PRIVATISATION OF BANKING AND OUTSOURCING OF BANK JOBS:

The meeting also took note of the Government’s announcement in the recent Budget proposing to extend banking services to 73,000 villages by employing private Business Correspondents.  This would mean that normal banking services would be handed over to private hands and regular banking jobs would be outsourced.  Already perennial and permanent jobs are being outsourced to contract agencies instead of employing regular employees.  This is very serious challenge to our jobs and job security.

3.    ATTEMPTS TO IMPOSE ANTI-EMPLOYEE RECOMMENDATIONS OF KHANDELWAL COMMITTEE:

The meeting took exception to the open attempts being made to somehow implement the retrograde recommendations of Khandelwal Committee.  There are reports that the Government has advised the Banks to move towards Incentive based Variable Pay for officers to “reward the performers” and deprive others.  The meeting decided that the anti-employee recommendations of Khandelwal Committee should be fought out tooth and nail.

4.    SETTLE PENDING DEMANDS:

The meeting observed that the IBA and the Government are adopting a casual approach to the genuine issues of the bank employees and officers.

Ø  Even though IBA and UFBU had finalised a revised scheme on compassionate appointments/financial compensation to the families of employees who die in harness, the Government has not cleared the same for implementation and for months together the issue is pending.

Ø  While business volume in the Banks has gone up manifold and workload on employees and officers has increased enormously, adequate recruitments are not being made.  The impending large-scale retirements in the next few years would further aggravate the shortage and warranting timely recruitment of sufficient number of staff.  Nearly 150,000 vacancies remain unfilled in the Banks.  But the present recruitments in the Banks are not matching the requirement.

Ø  Further the recruitment processes is privatised and handled by private agencies.  Hence the meeting demanded adequate recruitments and revival of BSRBs.

Ø  Pension related issues like updation of pension, 100 % DA for all pensioners , increase in Ex gratia for pre-1986 retirees, extension of improvements in pension scheme as done for the Government employees under the 6^th Pay Commission, etc. are kept pending and amicable resolution is being denied.

Ø  Uniformity and improvements in staff related loan schemes like House Building Loan, Vehicle Loan, Festival Advance Scheme, Allocation to Staff Welfare Scheme, etc are being denied leading to discrimination from Bank to Bank.

Ø  Bank Officers are being denied the basic service condition of a properly defined regulated working hours subjecting them to age-old draconian British rule of 24 hours servants.  Even in the case of workman employees working hours are being rampantly violated in the absence of adequate provision of manpower.

Ø  Pending demands like introduction of 5 Days Banking per Week are not being settled with earnestness.

Ø  It has been reported that Government has sent arbitrary instructions to the Banks not to allow any additional benefits to the staff without specific approval from the Government, totally diluting the autonomy of the Banks.

Ø   

Having regard to all these issues and background, the meeting came to the conclusion that an agitation should be built to focus the issues.  In view of the impending elections in some of the States during the month of April, 2011, the meeting decided as under:

1.    To build up powerful campaign, agitations and struggle on the above issues and demands.

2.    To hold an All India Convention in Delhi in May 2011 followed by agitational programmes, State level Dharnas and a Dharna before Parliament.

3.    To organize All India Bank Strike during monsoon session of the Parliament.

Comrades,

·       AWAIT THE DETAILED PROGRAMME. 

·       AWAIT THE CALL OF UFBU. 

·       PREPARE FOR THE STRUGGLE.

·       GET READY FOR THE STRIKE ACTION.

With greetings,

Yours Comradely,

/sd./C.H.VENKATACHALAM

CONVENER

Circular Letter No.3:V:2011

March 11, 2011

To:

ALL UNITS / STATE COMMITTEES

Comrades,

Trade Union International of Banks, Insurance & Finance Unions [TUI BIFU]

World Federation of Trade Unions took a conscious decision to organize a separate trade union for the most powerful sector any country, ie; Financial Sector comprising of Banks, Insurance etc.  This move was necessitated due to the changing scenario world over, especially the reforms agenda of various Governments particularly in the financial sectors.  WFTU is aware of the detrimental consequences of such reforms, blatantly undertaken by the ruling powers that be.

Accordingly the Inaugural Congress TUI BIFU was held at New Delhi on 24^th & 25^th February 2011.  The conference was a grand success.

130 Delegates from 42 Trade Unions organizations from various parts of the World such as Asia, Africa, Middle East and Latin America participated in the congress.  The participation vindicated the position and stand of WFTU in the matter of forming such apex organization.

The participants from our country included AITUC, CITU, apart from our Twin organization AIBEA and AIBOA and Organizations from LIC.

This conference follows the earlier formation of ARO bifu comprising of financial sector unions working in Asia on 15^th November 2008 at Delhi.

The conference elected Com.Alexander Likhtarovitch of Belarus as President and Com.C.H.Venkatachalam, the General Secretary of AIBEA as General Secretary among others.

Our Organization was represented by Com.N.Siddharth Dutta, our Secretary along with others.  We reproduce the presentation made by Com.Siddharth is reproduced herewith.

Comrades, this organization, we are confident will break new grounds in the matter of strengthening the relations between the like minded trade unions of the financial sector world over.

We convey our greetings and Best Wishes to the new Organization.

With Greetings,

/R.J.SRIDHARAN/

GENERAL SECERETARY

Parliament Morch on 23.02.2011

The Parliament Morcha on 23.02.2011 undertaken by various Central Trade Unions was a grand success.

The programme highlighted various issues such as price rise, unemployment, attacks on working class, attempted financial reforms, privatization etc.

The morcha witnessed a massive conglomeration of more than 5 lacs workers drawn by various trade unions from all sectors.  The march and slogans reverberated in the entire stretch of the route.  Representatives of the Unions presented a Memorandum to the Speaker of the Loksabha, highlighting the issues.

There has been a large contingent of AIBOA men and women in the rally.  We congratulate them.

At the end of the Morcha, a Memorandum was submitted to the Speaker of Lok Sabha.

In the wake of the success of the Morcha, the Central Trade Unions will chalk out further programmes to further highlight the national issues

With greetings,

  /R.J.SRIDHARAN/

GENERAL SECRETARY

Circular No.7:V:2011

February 17, 2011

To:

ALL UNITS / STATE COMMITTEES

Comrades.

IBA DISCARDS UFBU TO TALK TO ONE APEX UNION

We have come across a circular issued by one of the constituents of UFBU,  after holding a meeting with IBA Chairman in the presence of IBA, CEO on 06.01.2011 on industry level pending issues being pursued by UFBU.

You are aware that ever since the Chief of the biggest Commercial Bank took over IBA as its Chairman and brought pressure to finalize the wage settlement with the new element of pension balancing and refused our demand of for PF balancing totally, UFBU has been making serious attempts to meet him to discuss pending matters.

Countless number of representations oral and on record were made to IBA Chairman for the last several months but he was “so busy” after UFBU meeting that he could not grant audience to UFBU all the while.

However today we are surprised to find that the same Chairman from SBI finds enough and more time to meet his SBI counterparts and AIBOC to discuss in the presence of IBA CEO, all issues which are in the domain of IBA and UFBU.  Never in the past has any meeting with one union been made use of to dispose off industry level issues.   We do not know whether it is a new tradition of IR practice from the biggest Bank in charge of IBA or their comfort level will be ensured at the industry level with only such Bipartite forums?

We have asked IBA to clarify.   Time and again all the  constituents try to meet respective managements before their general body to take stock of issue.  But never is it given image of an industry level discussion with the appeasing role of Bankers as we witness today.  We know members are shrewd and sensitive enough to know that it is but an attempt to hoodwink them on the non-movement of issues, in order to paint a picture of movement to convince delegates in their conference.  We have seen it happen many times before to bolster leadership in the meetings by many unions.  But why IBA should have a leading role to bye-pass UFBU with whom it has negotiated the last settlement on the employees and officers at apex unions with whom they negotiate joint settlements.

UFBU is being usurped by powers who wants to control everything in the industry.  Whenever we raise a vital point of difference some of the apex unions cry a hoarse even to discuss.  Today when UFBU is bypassed by both IBA and one of the constituents, are we to say

SBI is IBA

 AIBOC is UFBU

 or

 Are we to declare UFBU is waylaid?

 Let us ponder over?
 

With greetings

/R.J.SRIDHARAN/

GENERAL SECRETARY

Circular Letter No: 1:V:2011

February 15, 2011 

To:

ALL UNITS / STATE COMMITTEES

Dear Comrade,

Vide our Circular No.15:V:2010 dated 25-08-2010, we had called upon the employees retired under VRS as per Officers’ Service Regulations and also those who were imposed with the punishment of “Compulsory Retirement” to fight collectively against denial of another pension option by bank managements.

Canara Bank Officers’ Union and All India Canara Bank Retirees’ Federation are extending secretarial assistance and coordinating the work relating to court cases with our counsels.

We wish to inform that 57 Officers joining together have filed the Writ Petition No.26916/2010 in the Madras High Court. Upon hearing our case argued by our Senior Counsel, Shri A.L.Somayaji, the Hon’ble Court was pleased to admit the Writ Petition on 30-11-2010 ordering notice to the respondents.

Also, we have finalised arrangements to file shortly another Writ Petition in Karnataka High Court to strengthen our case further in respect of denial of pension option to VRS optees.

Taking into account the current thinking of the Central Govt. on this issue and bearing in mind that the case would reach its finality only at the level of Supreme Court, we have already engaged and paid advocate fees to legal counsels at Chennai for arguing the court cases before High Courts of Chennai and Karnataka and Supreme Court.   The collections were enlisted from the VRS affected on a holistic basis to meet the entire expenses of Court case and all other expenses thereon at High Courts and Supreme Court in a common one time contribution.

While the anxiety and concern articulated by the affected retired employees through E-mails/SMS and telephonic contacts is understandable, the schedule of listing, hearing and prioritising the cases by the Hon’ble Court are beyond our control.  Our Units are following up the matter and petition may come up early.

As these two Writ Petitions at Chennai and Bangalore including Lawyers’ fees, paper work, documentation, court stamping etc., involve heavy expenditure, we may have to speed on Supreme Court appeal eventually given the Government’s mind as of now.  Supreme Court appeal,  even with a minimum of one or two appearances by Lawyers,  may cost us about 5 lacs.   As such, all the amounts received are being held for meeting all the two cases filed by us including Supreme Court case.  We shall meet required expected expenditure with your help.

Our Units are filing Writ petitions as per advice of legal counsel in Chennai and Karnataka High Courts.  Even though 57 VRS optees are represented in the Writ petitions in Chennai and Karnataka High Courts, the Supreme Court verdict will normally cover all VRS officers as law of the land.

Our Units will keep you informed of further developments in the court cases including date of hearing etc., from time to time.

With greetings,

(R.J.SRIDHARAN)

GENERAL SECRETARY

Circular No.6:V:2011

February 15, 2011

To:

ALL UNITS / STATE COMMITTEES       

Comrades,

• Ø  The Employees & Officers of ING Vysya Bank are on struggle

• Ø  All India Union/Association in the Bank the Units of AIBEA/AIBOA, call for agitation against the Bank Management’s retrograde policies.

• Ø  Struggle programmes culminate with All India Strike on17.03.2011

• Ø  Extend solidarity support to the comrades of ING Vysya Bank who are on warpath.

 The All India ING Vysya Bank Employees’ Union [Unit of AIBEA] and All India ING Vysya Bank Officers’ Association [Unit of AIBOA] in the Bank have sought the support of our two organizations, AIBOA and AIBEA and our Units / State Federations and State Committees for the struggles unleashed by them against the callous and indifferent attitude and patently brazen acts of arbitrariness  and unilateralism perpetrating the violation of not only the understandings reached within ie; with the unions and without ie; at the industry level and indulging in unbridled recruitment of Personnel on contract basis, against the industry level  governed Bipartite / Service Regulation oriented employees and officers.

The contractual appointments and outsourcing of perennial jobs in the Bank are going unabated in the Bank.

Despite the All India Strike by both the Organizations in the year 2005 and subsequent settlement with the organizations the management is acting in breach and unilaterally.

The Bank management wants to destabilize the unions, silence their voices, prevent democratic repression by the unions through demonstrations by obtaining court orders, desire a union free atmosphere and in a  premeditated manner indulge in unfair labour practices, harassment of officers on the specious alibi of Business targets, refuse to implement IX Bipartite provision of making the PTEs into Scale wages, refuse to recruit part time employees though tens of hundreds vacancies exist and last but not the least denying legitimate entitlement like OT/BOSH allowance etc.,

While in the entire industry including in Private Sector Banks the retirement age of officers, since 1995 is 60 years of age, in ING Vysya Bank alone it is 58 years.  Discrimination and favoritism galore by adopting double standards in imperialist fashion.

Hence after exercising restraint and forbearance for a reasonable period and finding the Bank managements perpetuates its policy of anarchic and archaic methods. The All India Organizations have called for Direct Action ie; ONE DAY ALL INDIA STRIKE by the entire work force in ING Vysya Bank on 17.03.2011 [ preceded by various programmes].

Most of these issues are akin to our organizations, AIBEA and AIBOA demands and struggle programmes.

Hence we call upon our Units / State Committees to extend solidarity and participate massively in the programmes to manifest that these two unions are not alone in the battlefield and we are there to support their struggle to the Victory Post.

With greetings,

/R.J.SRIDHARAN/

GENERAL SECRETARY

Circular No. 5:V:2011

February 10, 2011

To:

ALL UNITS / STATE COMMITTEES

Comrades,

We profusely and thankfully acknowledge the circular issued by AIBEA, the premier organization of Bank Employees in the country, on the joyous occasion of 30^th Anniversary of AIBOA on 14^th February, 2011.  We particularly feel happy that AIBEA has designated the whole of year 2011 towards building up of AIBOA in Banks, as an imperative need of the hour not only on ideological objectives but also in regard to the historic fact of both AIBEA and AIBOA steering clear of confronting issues and deliver the best to the Bank employees and officers, with uniformity whether working in small or big branch in our Country.

From the first ever wage revision settlement for officers in the present struggle and imminent future action on regulated working hours, AIBEA has extended full support to the officer’s cause under the banner of AIBOA.  On our part we fully supported the programme against privatization and for Nationalization and Public Sector banking.  We were only the officers’ union supported the relativity struggle of workmen led by AIBEA, when we declared support for pay construction relativity which is the basis of BP merger even in today’s settlement under UFBU.

This AIBEA – AIBOA principle of unity of officers and workmen ultimately found acceptability in sorts in the Industry through common cause and a jointly negotiated settlement with both our Unions providing the pillar of stability to anchor the settlements.

When we are 30 years old, we are poised to play greater role in the context of officerisation and change in business practices in Banks in one quest for keeping up our bargaining capacity and in this we have to go alongside AIBEA on common issues and reach the message of unity to grass root  level at every branch of every Bank.

In furnishing AIBEA circular to all our members we request all of you to bring the task enumerated to each employee and officer as also to every unit of AIBOA and AIBEA in every Bank.  So that the wish list of AIBOA-AIBEA gets into practice in letter and spirit.

Let us not lose any further time in propagating AIBEA – AIBOA in all Banks !

With greetings,

/R.J.SRIDHARAN/

GENERAL SECRETARY

ALL INDIA BANK EMPLOYEES' ASSOCIATION

CIRCULAR NO. 26/84 /2011/1                                                                                                  8^th February, 2011

TO ALL UNITS & MEMBERS :-

Dear Comrades,

Even though AIBEA has come to represent the Workman Employees in the Banking industry, its vision and understanding have always encompassed the officers working in the Banks.  In fact the first General Secretary of AIBEA, Com. Ramesh Chakraborti was himself an officer in the Bank.  Even after promotion to officer cadre, many of them continued in our unions and have even been leading our unions from the front.  We had the classical example in Com. P.K. Menon who was an officer in Bank of Baroda but yet was the most popular General Secretary of Maharashtra State Bank Employees’ Federation – the largest unit of AIBEA.  There were many others like Com. B.K.Porwal and Com. A. Sundara Rao who were Office Bearers of AIBEA.  Thus officers were playing a significant role in our trade union and were always an integral part of our movement.

However, after nationalisation of Banks and with the rapid expansion of banking industry, the strength of officers also increased.  The need for a strong and exclusive trade union organisation for officers with proper orientation became the need.  The introduction of uniform service conditions under the Pillai Committee Report and the anomalies therein compounded the need into necessity.  The betrayal by the then AICOBOO in fighting back the attacks compelled the need into urgency for an effective trade union for the bank officers.

In this background, on 14^th February, 1981, at the initiative of AIBEA, our sister organisation AIBOA was born.  AIBEA and AIBOA were envisioned to be two sides of the same coin sharing common perceptions and trade union philosophy.  AIBEA and AIBOA were aimed to be developed with common perspectives and convictions.  AIBEA and AIBOA were strategised to function together mutually supplementing and complementing each other in the process to strengthen the composite movement of employees and officers in the Banks to face the challenges together with a unique bondage of fraternity.  Hence to mark this inseparable bond of unity, ‘AIBEA’ was distinctly inscribed in the symbol of AIBOA itself.

AIBOA has travelled a long distance in the last three decades.  Despite its limitations and constraints, the twin banner of AIBEA & AIBOA has come to inspire the rank and file.  Notwithstanding the machinations of the managements and adversaries, AIBOA has grown in its own way and is today the second largest trade union for the bank officers community.

The first ever jointly documented industry-level wage revision for bank officers is a great contribution of AIBOA.  In AIBEA’s struggle for Pension Scheme, AIBOA stood shoulder to shoulder and played a significant role. When many others were found to be vacillating and oscillating  AIBOA had the far-sighted vision that securing  pension scheme is in the interest of all the employees and officers .  In many of the struggles of AIBEA - in defence of our rights, in defence of Public Sector and in fighting back the banking sector reforms - AIBOA has moved along with AIBEA.  This unity and bondage has to be further cemented and carried forward.

Today the challenges are multiple – attempts to privatise the ownership of banks, privatise banking policies, privatise banking jobs.  There are attempts to outsource the normal banking functions.  There are attempts to issue licenses to industrial and corporate houses to start Banks. There are attempts to hand over RRBs to private sector. There are attempts to foist anti-employee recommendations of Khandelwal Committee.   Hence the present situation and emerging challenges warrant intensified struggles with greater unity and cohesion. The unity under the twin banner of AIBEA and AIBOA is the right model that will provide an effective platform to the employees and officers to fight unitedly against all attacks.

On the happy occasion of the 30^th Anniversary of AIBOA, we greet AIBOA and wish them more success in their endeavours.  Let us take a pledge that we shall dedicate this year 2011 with exclusive focus to strengthen the orientation and philosophy of twin banner efficacy. Let us do everything possible to strengthen AIBOA in every Bank.  Let us take all initiatives to ensure greater understanding and working together. 

• A strong AIBOA implies a stronger AIBEA because it is our complementary battalion.

With greetings,

Yours Comradely,

C.H.VENKATACHALAM

GENERAL SECRETARY

Circular No.4:V:2011

January 19, 2011

To:

ALL UNITS / STATE COMMITTEES

Comrades,

THE TASK IS YET TO BE FULFILLED !    ARE YOU LISTENING ?

It was in 2006 that the Silver Jubilee Conference of AIBOA resolved to form a Trust for extending relief to the Unorganised. AIBOA on its part formed the Trust earmarking Rs 4.00 lakhs deposit towards guarantee funds and moved to put a regular scheme in place. A Scheme was conceived to upgrade the skills of the jobless and the unorganised, through knowledge updation and training for a year by the Institute established by the Trust.  In 2009, we have obtained Lease on long term basis for setting up the Institute, to impart training to make their delivery system more efficient thereby leading to more earning capacity.

Now efforts are underway to start the construction for the premises of the Institute at Coimbatore and simultaneously AIBOA has moved and got exemption of  Tax from the Income Tax Department in the year 2010 as per their letter No DIT(E)No2(57-A) / 09-10, dt 11 03 2010  by which all Donations made to the Trust are exempt from Tax under Sec  80 G of IT Act.                                              

Even though Silver Jubilee Conference gave a call for one day’s salary contributions by all Members and all such donations are free, many members are yet to fulfil the Task.  In fact except some Officers from Indian Bank, Canara Bank, and  most from Oriental Bank of Commerce-Gujarat, most of the other officers are yet to respond to the call. As of now the total amount collected stand only at Rs 10.00 lakhs, when the amount should have been in respect of about 40000 members. Even with 50% response the amount of the Trust should have registered 2 crores.

When all the Donations are fully exempt from Tax for the noble cause, we do not know whether the Units have failed to motivate the members or the members themselves have taken it less seriously. The problems of unorganised are acute with about 90% of the workers being in the unorganised Sector, it is our duty to help atleast a few of them to stabilise their lives and livelihood. AIBOA is committed to fulfil this noble Task along with all our Members without exception. Therefore AIBOA calls upon all Members to donate one day salary or more immediately without fail to enable us to commission the Project by 2012 fully and adequately with all Training and structural facilities.

Participate in the Nation Building Process !

Empower the workers to dignity and stability !!

This is the correct time since before March 2011, you can contribute to the Trust and claim Rebate of IT under Sec  80 G. Remittances are to be sent by DD or Cheque favouring AIBOA Trust for Unorganised Sector Relief to be sent to the following address:

All India Bank Officers’ Association,

A.K.Nayak Bhavan, 2^nd Floor,

14, Second line Beach,

Chennai -600001.

Official Receipt will be sent by the Trust immediately on payment of DD/Cheque. We call upon all our units atleast now to bestow needed attention to reach our Circular to individual Members and to collect the  Donations without fail immediately.

With Greetings

/R.J.SRIDHARAN/

GENERAL SECRETARY 

Circular No.3:V:2011

January 19, 2011

To:

ALL UNITS / STATE COMMITTEES

Comrades,

Circular No.1 : V : 2011

January 12, 2011

To:

ALL UNITS / STATE COMMITTEES

Comrades,

Parliament Morcha on 23^rd February, 2011

By now, we hope our Units and Delhi and nearby State Committees are making preparation for the morcha to be held in New Delhi on 23.02.2011, in terms of the decision of major Central Trade Unions.

We once again advise our Units to gear up the efforts, to make the programme a great success.

In the meantime following programmes are being informed for the information of our Units.

Ø  Bank Employees procession will start from Rajghat 11.00 am.  You may advise the members to be in the venue before 10.00 am on 23.02.2011.

Ø  As already advised our State Committees in Delhi and nearby States should mobilize maximum number of participants in the Morcha.

Ø  For any assistance our Units / State Committees may get in touch with Com.S.S.Shisodia General  Secretary, AIBOA – Delhi State Committee [Mobile:09811156296] and Com.N.S.Virk, Vice President-AIBOA[Mobile: 09810403369]

Ø  Our comrades are to fully participate in all local programmes in this regard.

Ø  Our Delhi State Committee to coordinate with Delhi State Bank Employees’ Federation, for the programmes.

We once again advise our State Committees around Delhi to ensure active participation in the Morcha.

We have also issued a Joint circular announcing the joint morcha programme with AIBEA and hence call upon our State Committees and Units to coordinate all plans with their respective units to mobilize maximum participation in the morcha.

With Greetings,

/R.J.SRIDHARAN/

GENERAL  SECRETARY

ALL INDIA BANK EMPLOYEES' ASSOCIATION

ALL INDIA BANK OFFICERS ASSOCIATION

                                                    12^th January, 2011

Dear Comrades,

- TO FIGHT BACK THE INCREASING OFFENSIVES

- PARTICIPATE IN PARLIAMENT MORCHA ON 23.02.2011

- GET READY FOR FURTHER STRUGGLES

We greet all our units and members in the New Year 2011 and wish their endeavours and activities all success.  The year ahead is going to be full of challenges and hence full of struggles.  So far, thanks to united and persistent efforts of our organisations, we have been able to thwart the wholesale implementation of the reform policies in our banking sector.  But the Government appears to be unrelenting in pursuing their agenda as under:

• Dilution of Government’s capital in PSBs continue.

• Loan is being availed from World Bank to capitalize our Banks thus bringing them under the World Bank pressures.

• Mergers and consolidation of Banks are still being pursued.

• In the name of financial inclusion, normal banking jobs are sought to be outsourced.  Appointing Business correspondent is nothing but privatisation of bank jobs.

• Proposals are dangerously afoot to grant licenses to corporate and industrial houses to start Banks.

• RRBs are sought to handed over to private hands.

• Revitalisation of Co-operative Banks is being glossed over.

• Anti-Employee Khandelwal Committee recommendations are under active consideration.

Thus there are serious attacks emerging in the banking scenario.

Already, Central Trade Unions have taken the initiative to fight back the anti-people and anti-labour policies of the Government.  Fight against Price Rise and fighting corruption have become national issues calling for united, militant struggles.

In this background, it has become necessary to undertake intensified programmes to resist and repulse the attacks.

From AIBEA & AIBOA we call upon all our unions and members to undertake the following programmes.

• Massive mobilisation for Morcha to Parliament on 23.2.2011 highlighting the above issues.

• Preparatory campaign meetings between 15.1.2011 and 15.2.2011.

• Distribution of leaflets on the issues involved.

• Extensive postering before bank branches

• Demonstrations / rallies in all centres between 7.2.2011 and 17.2.2011 (Date to be decided locally).

• Release of press statements.

• Badge wearing on 23.2.2011

• Preparation for All India Strike.

Office Bearers of AIBEA and AIBOA will meet after the Parliament Morcha and decide for further programmes including strike actions.

Comrades, the unrelenting attacks call for relentless struggles.  We call upon all our units to move in unison and implement the programmes effectively.

With greetings,

Yours Comradely,                                                       

Circular No.25/V/2010

December 31, 2010

To:

ALL  UNITS / STATE COMMITTEES

Comrades,

Welcome the year 2011

The NEW YEAR is dawning in a couple of hours.  We extend our warm greetings and best wishes for all in the banking Industry on the eve of the New Year 2011.

The year 2010, which is falling in the history had its ups and down with the resultant repercussions world over.

The fanfare with which, the glorified USA greeted Obama 2008, had its worst setback in the US congress where his party has lost majority.  No miracles or healing touch could be extended by the Obama administration for the second year  running.

The Wickie Leaks exposure of the deeds by the US administration and its embassies world over, has created ripples world over and some uncomfortable times for all including Indian leaders.

There had been no full, pull back from Afganishthan by US troops and its allies and the same is uncertain.

The redeeming feature from our neighbour  Myanmar, was the release of Aung San Suukyi the respected leader of the country,  from the house arrest which she was suffering for years.  The election process in the country, could not however bring any respite to the suffering lot of the country.

The perpetrator of terrorism, Pakistan, is suffering from the very same mechanism now internally throughout the year.

In our country, the year 2010 can best be described as “The Year of Scams”.  The mother of the scam “2G Spectrums” has witnessed a presumptive loss of Rs.1.76 lacs of crores.  The deal has cost the telecom Minister his job.  Yet another scam came in the “Commonwealth Games” held in New Delhi during the year.  The Adarsh Housing Scam in Maharashtra, the land grabbing scam in Tamilnadu,. Etc,, are some of the scams surfaces during the year.  The “2G issue has cost the nation the entire winter session of the Parliament.

Growing violence in the country by the enthused extremist elements in the country, in the name of Naxalites is causing concern to all of us.  Their activities in Orissa, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal and other states, should be viewed by the State machineries in proper perspective rather than as an act of terrorism against the establishment.

The year could witness the significant achievement by the  bankmen, in clinching the wage settlement after protracted talks for more than two years.  The settlement is a land mark for the AIBOA has signed the settlement, with its General Secretary, a retired officer as one of the signatories, the postiion which was denied earlier under “Active Service” rule.  The settlement is unique for the UFBU could achieve its demand for one more option for Pension for Bank employees.  This could be achieved, thanks to the sagacity of your organization, despite many ups and downs.  Of course the price was more since delay and lapse earlier has pushed up the cost very much.

The great and joyful success in the common wealth games has resulted in breaking barriers and touching new milestones for Indian participants.  So also was the Asian games, held in China from which our athletes have come out with flying colours.

It is worth mentioning of some individuals in the sports field Saina Nehwal factor continues to rule the badminton area, as Sachin rules the cricketing world.

Banking sector results were heart warming viewed against the American downslide.  Vertical and horizontal growth of Indian Banks was seen .even though PSBs number became 26 with Indore taken over by SBI.  The Govt. is now loud muffing starting of Private Banks by corporate even though earlier experiences are not palatable to the economy at all.  

Generally, the year 2010 had a mixed bag of expectations and disappointment, fortunes and misfortunes for the working class in the country.  The galloping prices, high food inflation etc. have cast a heavy burden on the working people.  With no signs of prices, abating, we visualize that the situation will continue as it is for some more time.

Mankind lives on hopes.  With that in mind, we expect the New Year will bring in more relief and respite to the people world over and our countrymen in particular, from the discomforts and distress we faced during the year.

With this hope, we Welcome the New Year 2011.

With New Year Greetings

 /R.J.SRIDHARAN/

GENERAL SECRETARY

C.R.CHANDRASEKARAN, M.A.,B.L.,CAIIB

ADVOCATE

01.12.2010

To:

Mr.S.V.Srinivasan

General Secretary

All India Canara Bank Retirees Federation

CHENNAI-600001

Dear Sir,

We are glad to advise you that the Hon’ble High Court of Madras has been pleased to hear and admit the following Writ Petition filed by your members in regard to their second option for grant of pension in terms of Canara Bank [Employees’] Pension Regulations, 1995 on 30.11.2010.

In the High Court of Judicature at Madras

[special Original Jurisdiction]

W.P.No.26916 of 2010

Between

Arun Kumar & 57 Others                                                                  Petitioners

And

1. Canara Bank,Bangalore-560 002

2. TheCompetent Authority,

Canara Bank [Employees’] Pension Regulations 1995

BANGALORE-560002

       3. Indian Banks’ Association. Mumbai                                                Respondents

Thanking you,

Yours faithfully,

                                                                                       /sd./C.R.Chandrasekaran

Circular Letter No.19/V/2010

December 9, 2010

To:

ALL UNITS / STATE COMMITTEES

Comrades,

ANOTHER OPTION FOR PENSION