July 8, 2011

To:

ALL UNITS / STATE COMMITTEES

Comrades,

ALL INDIA STRIKE ON 05.08.2011

 Units are aware of the postponement of the Strike action called by the UFBU to 5^th August, 2011.

In view of the postponement the UFBU has served the required amended strike notice on IBA, which includes the demands of RRB and Co-operative Bank Employees and Deposit Collectors.

We enclose the copy the STRIKE NOTICE issued by UFBU in this regard

With greetings,

/R.J.SRIDHARAN/

GENERAL SECRETARY

Copies of the Strike has been sent to all the CMD/MD/CEOs of all the Public Sector Banks, Private Sector Banks and Foreign Banks.

Separate strike notice should be served by our unions in RRBs and Co-operative Banks as per their practice.  As per our decision, we have included in the strike notice the issues of RRBs, Co-operative Banks and Deposit Collectors.  Their strike will be as per the call of UFBU and also incorporating their own demands in their respective Notice. 

Preparations and mobilisations should be geared up effectively to create the momentum for the strike.

C.H.VENKATACHALAM

-            ALL INDIA BANK OFFICERS’ CONFEDERATION (AIBOC)

-            NATIONAL CONFEDERATION OF BANK EMPLOYEES (NCBE)

-            ALL INDIA BANK OFFICERS’ ASSOCIATION (AIBOA)

-            BANK EMPLOYEES FEDERATION OF INDIA (BEFI)

-            INDIAN NATIONAL BANK EMPLOYEES FEDERATION (INBEF)

-            INDIAN NATIONAL BANK OFFICERS CONGRESS (INBOC)

-            NATIONAL ORGANISATION OF BANK WORKERS (NOBW)

To

The Chairman,

Indian Banks’ Association,

World Trade Centre, 6^th Floor,

Cuffe Parade, Mumbai

Sir,

In amendment to the Notice dt. 8-6-2011 sent to you earlier and in accordance with the provisions contained in sub-section (1) of Section 22 of the I.D. Act – 1947, we hereby give you notice that the members of all the constituent unions of United Forum of Bank Unions ( AIBEA,  AIBOC,   NCBE,  AIBOA,   BEFI,   INBEF,  INBOC,  NOBW, NOBO)  propose to go on strike on the 5^th AUGUST, 2011 ( instead of on 7^th July, 2011).

Main Issues and Demands :

1.             Do not privatise Public Sector Banks

2.             Do not reduce Government’s equity in Public Sector Banks

3.             Do not avail World Bank Loan to capitalise Public Sector Banks

4.             Do not proceed with merger of Banks .

5.             Do not allow unrestricted entry of foreign capital in banking sector.

6.             Do not delete Section 12(2) of Banking Regulations Act 

7.             Do not remove the ceiling on voting rights of foreign investors.

8.             Do not issue licence to industrial houses to start their own Banks.

9.             Do not outsource permanent banking jobs and normal banking services

10.          Do not proceed with the scheme of private business correspondents

11.          Do not violate provisions of Bipartite Settlement on outsourcing

12.          Provide adequate staff in Banks through recruitments to maintain and improve customer services. Stop violation of working hours.

13.          Revive BSRBs for recruitment of staff in Public Sector Banks.

14.          Implement the compassionate appointment /financial compensation scheme as finalised between IBA & UFBU.

15.          Issue revised uniform guidelines on house building loan, vehicle loan and festival advance to bank staff.

16.          Implement 5 day banking

17.          Regulate and define working hours of bank officers.

18.          Improve Pension Scheme in banking sector on the lines of Central Government Scheme - updation of Pension along with wage revision of serving employees, uniform D.A. neutralization, improvement in commutation, Family Pension, Ex-Gratia of pre – 1986 retirees, etc.

19.          Withdrawal of Government’s arbitrary instructions to Banks not to improve/amend any service condition without their permission.

20.          Scrap Khandelwal Committee Recommendations.

21.          Settle the demands of employees/officers of Rural Regional Banks and Co-op. Banks and of the Daily Deposit Collectors.

                                                                                                                                                (C.H. VENKATACHALAM)

                                                                                            CONVENER

Encl. :   

1. Statement of the Case

       2.  Details of Agitational Programme

Copy to

1. Chief Labour Commissioner (Central), New Delhi

2. CMDs/MDs/CEOs  of  All  Banks

 Statement of the Case

We find that the Government’s equity capital in the Public Sector Banks is being diluted and reduced and consequently the private capital in our Public Sector Banks is increasing.  Public Sector Banks are nation building financial institutions and allowing private capital in these institutions will be detrimental to the implementation of the objectives of public sector banking.  With every dose of private capital, the social orientation of public sector banks get eroded.  With every dose of private capital, our Public Sector Banks are slowly and steadily moving towards privatisation of our Banks.  Hence we demand that Public Sector Banks should not be privatised and Government’s Equity Capital in our Banks should not be reduced.

Of late the Government has been availing loan from the World Bank in order to capitalize the Public Sector Banks.   It is learnt that so far the Government has availed World Bank Loan of Rs. 15,000 crores for this  purpose.  By availing loan from World Bank, slowly the conditionalities of World Bank would be brought into the affairs and activities of our Public Sector Banks which would affect the public sector character of our Banks.  Hence we demand that the Government should retrace their policy of availing World Bank Loan to capitalize our Banks.

The Government has been encouraging the policy of merger and consolidation of our Public Sector Banks for the sake of global competition and efficiency.  Indian Public Sector Banks are designed and designated for our own domestic economic development, and forcing them into global competition is unwarranted.  Further we have seen the efficiency of the global players in the recent period who have crumbled like a pack of cards, in contrast to our Banks who have not been affected by the global financial crisis.  Further when there is so much of financial exclusion in the country and financial inclusion is the priority task, what the country needs is banking expansion and not banking consolidation. Indian banking has not saturated to warrant consolidation.  India is still under-banked as far as the common masses are concerned.  Hence bank mergers are not called for.  Government has introduced a Bill in the Parliament to facilitate merger of the Associate Banks with SBI.  Associate Banks have their own historical identity and geographical significance besides being very efficient Banks. If they are allowed to function with more autonomy they would outperform some of the bigger Banks also.    

Hence we are opposed to merger of Banks.  Government should reconsider its policy.

• Do not allow unrestricted entry of foreign capital in banking sector . Do not delete Section 12(2) of Banking Regulations Act .  Do not remove the ceiling on voting rights of foreign investors.

The Government has introduced a Bill in the Parliament in the last Session seeking to delete the existing section 12 (2) OF THE Banking Regulation Act.  Today there is a ceiling of 10% on the voting rights of the FDI in our private sector Banks under the B R Act.  If this clause is deleted, it would facilitate full voting rights without any ceiling and proportionate to their capital investment.  This would instantly make our private sector banks vulnerable for takeover by foreign capital. 

As of last year, the capital and total Deposits of our Indian private sector Banks were as under:

In August, 2010 RBI has released its Discussion Paper on Entry of New Banks in the Private Sector.  The idea is to allow industrial and business houses to start their own Banks.  In the recent Budget, Government has also announced its intention to go ahead with this new licencing policy.

With the introduction of new economic policies in 1991, RBI issued guidelines in 1993 and 2001 for giving licence to new private Banks with a capital induction of Rs.300 crores.

10 Banks were set up after 1993 and another 2 Banks after 2001 guidelines.  Out of these 12 new private banks, 4 were promoted by financial institutions, 1 each by conversion of a co-op Bank and an NBFC into commercial banks, 5 Banks by banking professionals and 1 Bank by a media house.

Out of the 4 Banks promoted by individuals, only 1 Bank is surviving now.  The Global Trust Bank was merged with OBC after its debacle and 2 Banks were merged with other private Banks due to lack of financial strength and bad governance.

Out of the remaining 6 Banks, Times Bank has merged with Yes Bank.  4 Banks have merged with the parent institution or re branded.

This is the track record of these new generation private sector banks started with all fanfare and open encouragement from the Government.

Now the RBI wants to liberalize its licencing policy to allow industrial and business houses to float their own Banks.

In India we have the better experience of the role played by those private banks which were owned and controlled by industrial houses in those days. Because of their manipulations, negative contributions and unwillingness to be part of socio-economic development, the need arose to nationalize those banks.

Today RBI wants to allow these industrial houses to start Banks!  The RBI draft also mentions that our RRBs can be handed over to these industrial and business houses!

Hence UFBU is opposed to this new policy and demands of the Government not to proceed with the same.

The Government, the bankers and the RBI are trying to encourage the policy of outsourcing the permanent and perennial jobs in the banking industry.  They are escalating their efforts to outsource the regular jobs of the bank employees and officers.  Each Bank has unilaterally formulated their outsourcing policy to contract out the normal banking jobs.  The Bipartite Settlement between IBA and Unions provide for outsourcing of IT and its related activities in respect of specialized areas where in-house capability is not available.  But in violation of this settlement, all types of routine/non-specialised jobs are being outsourced.  Recently, the Banks are resorting to appointment of Business Correspondents who are nothing but outsourced employees and who are required to undertake our normal banking work.  Hence the policy needs to be reversed and permanent jobs should not be outsourced.

While there is increasing demand for improving customer service, it is observed that adequate staff are not being provided to handle the increased volume of work.  Due to the persistent efforts and agitations in the past, some recruitments are taking place in the Banks, but the same are inadequate. Some months ago, the Government appointed a consultant to get a report on Human Capital in Banks.  According to this Report, the PSBs would be requiring about 7 lacs employees in the next decade due to retirement and other natural wastages, etc. 

Revival of BSRBs:

In the recent recruitment processes in the Banks, campus recruitments, process by private recruitment agency etc. have been resorted too.  Recruitments in Public Sector Banks should be through Government agencies and a transparent system.  It is high time  that  BSRBs are revived and recruits in PSBs are done by BSRBs.

The Government appointed Khandelwal Committee has submitted its recommendations which are totally adverse to the interests of the employees/officers and our trade unions and seeks to neutralize the long-time achievements of the trade unions secured in the last more than six decades.  Some of the main recommendations  are: 

 1.    To outsource all non-core jobs

1.     2.     Direct Recruitment of Officers upto 50 %

2.     3.     Qualification for entry level recruitment

     For Clerks : Graduation ;   For Substaff: 10^th Std.

3.     4.     Fresh Recruitments to be only in Rural and Semi Urban areas and not in metro/urban branches

4.      5.    Appointment of exclusive Executive Director ( H R )

6.    6.    Bankwise wage revision based on capacity to pay, profitability, productivity, etc.  instead of industry level agreements

7. Introduction of Variable Pay as a major component of  wages and introduction of cost to company concept.

7.      8.    Review all internal settlements on mobility

8.      9.    HR Professionals to be recruited at senior/junior levels.

10. HR administration to be automated through web-based system

All these are unwarranted and provocative ideas and not acceptable to the employees and officers.  These recommendations should be rejected by the Government.

A uniform policy on compassionate ground appointments in the Banks has been followed since 1978 based on Government guidelines.  In 1996, based on a Supreme Court judgement, the Government advised the Banks to keep in mind the economic condition of the family while considering the employment on compassionate ground to a family member on the death of an employee.  This was also being followed by the Banks.  However, in 2004, based on Government’s advice, a new model scheme was evolved stopping all compassionate appointments.  After exhausting our efforts to restore the earlier scheme, UFBU gave a call for strike on 9-3-2006.  Based on CLC’s advice, the strike was deferred and we submitted our suggestions to the IBA.  But IBA/Government did not agree to any of our suggestions but implemented an unilateral financial compensation scheme.  Hence UFBU gave the call for strike for 3 days in March, 2007.  UFBU met the Prime Minister and Finance Minister on 19-3-2007 and 21-3-2007 and submitted our views.  Consequently an MOU was signed on 21-3-2007 when the IBA assured that the Government would consider our suggestions and the strike was deferred. But the Government/IBA implemented again another unilateral scheme from July 2007 without considering our suggestions. 

Aggrieved by this, UFBU gave the call for strike on 12-9-2007 and again CLC intervened and advised the IBA to amicably resolve the dispute and hence the strike was deferred. Yet the issue remained unresolved and hence UFBU observed the strike on 25-1-2008 and call was given for 2 days strike on 25/26-2-2008.  UFBU met the Finance Minister on 19-2-2008, and on 25-2-008 an MOU was signed by which the strike was withdrawn.  Consequently there were discussions between IBA and UFBU in 2008/09 and in February, 2009, a mutually acceptable scheme was worked out keeping in mind the Government views, Supreme Court judgement, etc.  This scheme is still pending with the Government for the past more than 2 years.  The incidence of death while in service is very negligible in the Banks ( it ranges between 50 to 70 per year per Bank i.e. about 0.4 % only).  The IBA/Government approach on this issue is unfair and is devoid of sympathetic approach.

So far, the scheme on housing loan, vehicle loan and festival advance for the bank staff has been based on uniform guidelines from the Government.  However, recently, each Bank is revising these schemes on its own and despite repeatedly taking up the issue, there is no revised uniform guidelines either from the Government or IBA.  This has resulted in disparities and discriminations in the schemes and has created heartburning amongst the employees.

With the introduction of technology, etc., banking services have been enabled to reach the customers more easily and basic services are available 24 x 7.  Even within the existing working hours, Banks have increased the banking hours for the benefit of the customers.  In RBI, 5 Day Banking has been introduced.  Financial markets, foreign exchange markets, stock exchanges, etc. do not function on Saturday. There is no reason why Banks cannot adopt 5 Day Banking.  This was a part of our charter of Demands but this was not considered at that time. 

There can be no two opinions that officers working in the banks are also employees even though they may be discharging supervisory duties.  But in the service conditions of the officers, there is no stipulated working hours thus making them 24 hours servant.  Other than the senior Executives, the other officers in the Banks are normal employees and they are entitled to defined working hours. The absence of the same is highly unfair and draconian in nature.

• Improve Pension Scheme in banking sector on the lines of Central Government Scheme - updation of Pension along with wage revision of serving employees, uniform D.A. neutralization, improvement in commutation, Family Pension, Ex-Gratia of pre – 1986 retirees, etc.

The Bank Employees Pension Scheme was introduced in 1993 based exactly on the Central Government employees pension scheme and on the same conditions i.e. by foregoing the management’s contribution to PF.  Recently, even the New Pension Scheme, as applicable to the Government employees, was forced to be implemented for the bank employees joining the Banks from 1-4-2010.  While so, when certain improvements in the Government Pension Scheme have been made in the 6^th Pay Commission Report, the same are being denied to be extended to the Bank employees. 

 This is discriminatory and unjust. 

Recently the Government, we are informed, has advised all the Banks not to improve any service conditions of the staff without their prior permission.  This is highly arbitrary and unilateral and runs counter to the bilateral norms subsisting in the Banks over the years.  Except on issues which are governed by common Government guidelines/instructions, other service conditions should be allowed to be improved within the permitted parameters.

3.  Deputation to the CMDs/MDs of all Banks by leaders of the UFBU constituent unions in each Bank and submitting the memorandum wherever this programme has not been undertaken so far.  Joint demonstrations can be held on that day before the Central Offices of the Banks.

4. Meetings and Conventions to mobilize our members as well as to solicit   support of other trade unions

5.  Press meet/press release, etc between 25^th and 30^th July, 2011

6.  Lunch-time evening time demonstrations in all branches/centres on 20-7-11 and 1-8-11.

7.  Dharna in all State Capitals on 27-7-2011

8.  Centralised Mass Rallies/processions in all cities and towns on 2-8-2011.

9.  Demonstrations in all branches on 4-8-2011

10. ALL INDIA BANK STRIKE : 5^TH AUGUST, 2011 :

UFBU EXTENDS SOLIDARITY

June 30, 2011

To:

UNITS / STATE COMMITTEES

Comrades,

We append the circular issued by UFBU informing the postponement of the Strike call of 7^th July 2011 t0 5^th AUGUST, 2011.

Units and State Committees are to take note of the same and implement the preparatory programmes and the strike call effectively.

With greetings,

/R.J.SRIDHARAN/

GENERAL SECRETARY

UFBU CIRCULAR NO. 2011/6  dated    30^th June, 2011

TO ALL UNIONS AND MEMBERS:

 -               UFBU decides to change the Strike date from 7^th July to 5^th August, 2011

-           Respond massively

Pursuant to the clarion call given by UFBU and the unanimous Declaration adopted in our National Convention, bank employees and officers have been moving forward towards our All India Bank Strike on 7^th July, 2011.

There have been enthusiastic response to the programmes and mobilization is also in full swing.  In the meantime, we were expecting the Parliament Session to be convened in July so that our Strike will get echoed in the Parliament too.  But the Parliament Session has been convened from 1^st August, 2011.  In this background a meeting of the UFBU was held today in Chennai wherein it was felt expedient to re-adjust our Strike date suitably with a view to synchronise it with the Parliament Session.  After discussion, it has been decided that our All India Bank Strike will be postponed from 7^th July to 5^th August, 2011.

Further, upon representations from our Unions in RRBs, Co-operative Banks and Daily Deposit Collectors to include their demands to enable them to wholeheartedly participate in the programmes/ Strike action, it was decided to accede to their request.

Comrades, all our unions and members would observe that after our Convention, the attacks are only being intensified.  OECD Report has recommended wholesale banking sector reforms.  USA is also pressurising for banking reforms in India to be expedited.  Government’s thinking is not too different from these.  Hence our unity and strike actions are important.

Further preparatory programmes will be announced separately. 

Let us make the 5^th August Strike a clear warning signal to the Government.

March on to 5^th August, 2011 Strike.

C.H.VENKATACHALAM

CONVENER

June 9, 2011

To:

ALL UNITS / STATE COMMITTEES

Comrades,

 STRIKE ACTION ON 7^th JULY 2011

Ere now, the Units and State Committees will be preparing for launching the campaign on issues as called by the UFBU against the attack of the Government on Banking sector and the Bank employees.

As part of the preparation to the strike, submission of Memorandum to various tiers of the Bank is to be completed on or before 15.06.2011 highlighting our 20 Point demands.

In enclosing UFBU circular in this regard and the specimen of the Memorandum and details of other programmes we exhort our Units and State Committees to implement the same in all seriousness.

With greetings,

/R.J.SRIDHARAN/

GENERAL SECRETARY

TEXT OF AIBOA CIRCULAR LETTER  NO. 2011/8         DATED 06.06.2011

Dear Comrades,

7^TH JULY STRIKE

We are sure that by now all our unions have informed their base units and members about the UFBU’s call for All India Strike on 7^th July, 2011 as per the declaration adopted in our UFBU’s national Convention held at Delhi on 20-5-2011.  We asre also sure that all our unions are taking necessary steps to mobilize the members for the successful participation in the Strike on 7^th July.

Specimen of Badge and Poster have been sent already and they need to be got printed and supplied to all our Branch Units. ( Badge wearing on 30-6-2011)

Branch level Memorandum: As part of the preparatory programme, mass memorandum has to be submitted to all the Branch Managers/Office In-charges.  The draft of the Memorandum is furnished herein.  It must be ensured that this draft is provided to all branch units and the memorandum should be got signed by all the employees and officers in every branch/office and submitted to the respective Manager/In-charge before 15-6-2011.  Copy of this memorandum should be sent to UFBU.

Memorandum to CMDs:  Similarly, in each Bank, the leaders of the constituent unions in the respective Banks should submit this memorandum jointly to the CMD/MD/CEO/GM-HRD, etc. This should be done before 20-6-2011.

Demonstrations:  Demonstrations should be held in all centres/towns between 20^th and 25^th June, 2011. Local UFBU representatives should ensure this programme.

With greetings,

Yours Comradely,

/sd./C.H.VENKATACHALAM

CONVENOR

UNITED FORUM OF BANK UNIONS

(AIBEA-AIBOC-NCBE-AIBOA-BEFI-INBEF-INBOC-NOBW-NOBO)

Dear Sir/Madam,

This is to inform you that at the call of the United Forum of Bank unions, all the employees and officers of all the Banks will be observing All India Strike on 7^th July, 2011 on the following issues and demands.

1.            1     Do not privatise Public Sector Banks

2.             2    Do not reduce Government’s equity in Public Sector Banks

3.             3    Do not avail World Bank Loan to capitalise Public Sector Banks

4.             4    Do not proceed with merger of Banks including the Associate Banks with SBI.

5.             5    Do not allow unrestricted entry of foreign capital in banking sector.

6.             6    Do not delete Section 12(2) of Banking Regulations Act 

7.             7    Do not remove the ceiling on voting rights of foreign investors.

8.             8    Do not issue licence to industrial houses to start their own Banks.

9.             9    Do not outsource permanent banking jobs and normal banking services

10.         10     Do not proceed with the scheme of private business correspondents

11.          11    Do not violate provisions of Bipartite Settlement on outsourcing

12.          12    Provide adequate staff in Banks through recruitments to maintain and improve customer services.

13.          13    Revive BSRBs for recruitment of staff in Public Sector Banks.

14.          14    Implement the compassionate appointment /financial compensa-tion scheme as finalised between IBA & UFBU.

15.          15    Issue revised uniform guidelines on house building loan, vehicle loan and festival advance to bank staff.

16.          16    Implement 5 day banking

17.          17    Regulate and define working hours of bank officers.

18.         18     Improve Pension Scheme in banking sector on the lines of Central Government Scheme - updation of Pension along with wage revision of in service employees, uniform D.A. neutralization, improvement in commutation, Family Pension, Ex-Gratia of pre – 1986 retirees, etc.

19.         19     Withdrawal of Government’s arbitrary instructions to Banks not to improve/amend any service condition without their permission.

20.         20     Scrap Khandelwal Committee Recommendations.

Yours faithfully

June 7, 2011

To:

ALL UNITS / STATE COMMITTEES

Comrades,

Our attention has been drawn to the circular issued by UFBU on 3^rd June, 2011 in response to our stand on the pay-off in SBI of “Pension costing” amount in allowance in every month.

We very much appreciate the fact that UFBU has to respond the way they have done, having regard to the letter of 2^nd June, 2011 from AIBOC seeking clarifications on the matter and the circulars by us.  Pressed with the situation of threat by AIBOC  letter UFBU has to stick to its stand that in the event of lack of consensus SBI issue will not be taken up by UFBU.

The fact of the matter is that nobody is against UFBU on the strike or 20 points taken up but why a certain position taken up at the time of signing the settlement in regard to “SBI Pension costing” that it can be for pension improvement only should be allowed to go for allowances.  It is staring at the eyes of all bank employees that while in all other Banks we pay every month about 1000 crores a year and 5000 crores during settlement period on account of increased cost of one more option their counterparts in SBI get in cash 1450 crores during the settlement in case.  When we pay every month from salary that too to get it back 20 years after retirement.  In SBI they get cash every month.  Is this any bargaining?  This has to be answered by those who oppose our stand.  Talking back and forth may not satisfy the people who have lost substantially in the bargain.

As a matter of clarification AIBOA would categorically inform all the concerned that we are keen on any matter of debate on Bipartite specially as UFBU has specifically informed us that on issues where all unions do not agree, individual unions may pursue the issues.  We are just doing that as we strongly feel that sanctity of Bipartite is violated by SBI management and the Govt.

To put record straight, we would like answers from AIBOC /  SBI unions to the following three basic points where upon we may discuss other issues as the matter is in the public domain and  these are

1.    1.When UFBU constituents discussed the “one more option” issue what was the basis of our approach to get it from the IBA/Govt. whether any constituent or their member was exempted from bearing extra cost?

2.    2.Why the AIBOC General Secretary and NCBE General Secretary did not sign the MOU on 27.11.2009  with IBA and why only Com.K.S.Shetty, President, AIBOC and Com.L.Balasubramanian, President, NCBE signed the settlement, and what forced SBI unions representative to walk out of negotiation meeting.

3.    3.When IBA gets Govt.’s nod normally on every settlement before and after settlement why then a specific clause was instituted requiring Govt., concurrence to the disposal of pension costing in SBI in this agreement?

Our writing to Govt., / IBA or Banks is only the result of stone-walling the issue in UFBU by AIBOC and the UFBU taking a stand on consensus on a matter when  safeguards were discussed and decided as the first ever introduction by IBA of the  provision of “SBI Pension Costing” in Bipartite settlement.

Finally AIBOA would like to reiterate that as UFBU has informed us that individual unions may pursue this issue, we are pursuing it.  Let UFBU stick to its 20 points as announced on 29^th May, 2011.  We have no issue on that.  We shall pursue our issue on our track.

But then UFBU is no exception to the cardinal rule that even majority/cent percent unions also can not discard issues affecting majority Bankmen in the country.

Let the UFBU strike take place with total unity on all issues affecting Bankmen and we are ever prepared to explain our issues and hope to stand for better appreciation by all concerned.

All that we want and stand for is the sanctity of Bipartite settlement and for extension of similar allowance on parity to all Banks as extended to SBI.

With Greetings,

GENERAL SECRETARY

Circular Letter No.7:V:2011

June 6, 2011

To:

ALL UNITS / STATE COMMITTEES

Comrades,

UFBU CALL FOR JOINING THE PROTEST PROGRAMME ON 23.06.2011

Comrades are fully aware of the spiraling prices in food articles and other consumerables used by the common people.  This continuous trend of price rise of all essential articles has cast a heavy burden on all of us, especially the working class.

To cap it all, the Government has come out with a price increase of  5 per litre on petrol nineth time in a row.  The air is thick with the possibility of further hikes in petrol, gas prices.

Taking note of the alarming situation, all the Central Trade Unions met in New Delhi on 29.05.2011 and after discussions, decided to organize demonstrations/rallies, Dharna etc., in the work places, District Headquarters and State capitals on 23.06.2011.

Comrades, the issue being broad based and affecting the entire working class, we have to extend full support to the protest programmes on 23.06.2011.

Our Units / State Committees are advised to have full participation in the said programme in all centres.

The UFBU circular in this regard is enclosed.

With greetings,

/R.J.SRIDHARAN/

GENERAL SECRETARY

TEXT OF UFBU CIRCULAR No. 4 DATED 06.06.2011

Dear Comrades,

                                                Protest against the hike in petrol prices

                                               Hold Demonstrations/Rallies on 23^rd June, 2011

                                                 Joint Trade Unions’ call

All our unions and members are aware of the alarming increase in prices of all food items and essentials of daily life.  This unabated and spiraling price rise is neutralizing whatever gains workers are making on account of wage revision, etc.  The real wages of workers are getting seriously eroded with every dose of price rise. 

Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers has reached 4250 points in April, 2011.    While a section of the organized workers get compensated against price rise due to Dearness Allowance, etc., the vast majority of the workers remain uninsulated against the menace of price rise.  Hence this has become the foremost issue of the worker and trade unions today especially in the context where the Government has become totally ineffective and is unable to take any concrete steps to control priceline. 

To add fuel to fire, the Government is also announcing frequent increase in the price of petrol, diesel, gas, kerosene.  Recently the price of petrol has been has been hiked by Rs. 5.00 per litre.  Government is contemplating to further increase the prices of diesel, cooking gas, kerosene, etc. 

PROTEST PROGRAMME ON 23-6-2011:  All these will further adversely affect the common masses and workers.  Hence all the Central Trade unions (BMS, INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, AICCTU, UTUC, TUCC, SEWA ) have decided to protest against this hike in price of petrol, gas, etc.  A meeting of all these Central Trade Unions was held in Delhi on 29-5-2011 and they have decided to organise demonstrations / Rallies / Dharna etc in all the workplaces, state capitals and district headquarters on 23^rd June 2011.

UFBU to participate in this programme:  Since it is a common cause and equally concerns all of us, we call upon all our unions and members to participate in the programmes or organize demonstrations by bank employees/officers on that day during lunch time/evening time.

Central Trade Unions’ support our 7^th July Strike:  In this meeting of the Central Trade Unions held on 29-5-2011, they have extended their full support to our UFBU’s strike on 7^th July, 2011.

With greetings,

Yours Comradely,

/sd./C.H.VENKATACHALAM,

CONVENER

JOINT COMMUNICATION OF CENTRAL TRADE UNIONS

·     CENTRAL TRADE UNIONS TO PROTEST COUNTRYWIDE AGAINST MOVE TO FURTHER HIKE IN PRICES OF PETROL, DIESEL, KEROSENE AND LPG.

The meeting the Central trade unions held on 29^th May, 2011 at INTUC office, New Delhi under the presidentship of Shri G. Sanjeeva Reddy noted with serious concern that despite several rounds of all in united protests by the entire trade union movement of the country, the Government has remained totally unresponsive to major concerns of the working people.

The Central Trade Unions call upon the working people of the country to further widen the unity achieved through united struggle and launch united protest against the unresponsive Government through joint countrywide struggles as mentioned hereunder

Joint Protest Day through demonstrations / Rallies / Dharna etc in all the workplaces, state capitals and district headquarters on 23^rd June 2011 against rise in petrol prices and contemplated move of the Government to increase the prices of diesel, kerosene and LPG which will further fuel the rise in prices of all commodities

The Central Trade Unions also extend full support to all the sectoral and industry based struggles and in particular to united Bank strike on 7^th July and united struggles of the Coal workers to be decided by their united national convention on 28^th June 2011.

The Central Trade Unions will again meet on 27^th June 2011 at INTUC office at New Delhi to decide the to review the situation and decide on higher phase of countrywide united struggle.

The Central Trade Unions call upon the working people and the trade unions irrespective of affiliations to make the above programme a total success.

BMS                       INTUC                     AITUC                     HMS                       CITU

                                       AIUTUC                  AICCTU                    UTUC                    TUCC                       SEWA

May 26, 2011

To:

ALL UNITS / STATE COMMITTEES

Comrades,

You are aware in the previous UFBU meeting held on 23.03.2011 at Delhi the issue of payment of allowance of SBI pension costing amount of Rs.290.64 crores set apart for improvement in pension for SBI was taken up by AIBOA.  Since the sanctity of Bipartite stands badly affected through monthly payment of allowance in SBI and recovery every month from salary of all other Bankmen, we had urged for extension of the same allowance to all other Banks, especially when UFBU had taken assurance from the Govt., to monitor the payment of pension only in SBI.

However SBI unions in AIBOC stonewalled the issue and did not agree even though no union had agreed to any compensation to any Bank at the time of discussing the approach on “one more Option” issue.

Since UFBU did not decide the matter on account of AIBOC’s resistance, we discussed the issue with AIBEA  General Secretary after the last meeting.  While agreeing with the issue and developments, he informed us since there was no unanimity UFBU could not decide the issue but AIBEA will pursue the issue with AIBOA and other unions and however since AIBOC has to join the July strike, we may pursue this later.

However now we find that about 20 issues are listed for the strike and yet SBI pension costing” amount paid as allowance will not be considered by UFBU.  When all employees are watching this daylight robbery on them, how UFBU can take refuge and shelter under one union refusing to endorse a decision / discussions etc., taken and decided at the time of signing Bipartite settlement.

According to us this issue is paramount and as equal to any fight on any issue international or national.

We leave it to the Bank men to consider the issue and situation.

Despite the blunder by UFBU, we join the strike on 7^th July, 2011 on all issues and call upon all Bank men to fight for all 20 issues and also fight for parity of service conditions and extension of SBI pension paid as allowance to all Banks as common demands of our agitation.

Majority can not mitigate against majority nay all employees and UFBU can not gloss over the real issue by listing 20 issues and yet leaving out wage disparity so glaringly imposed by SBI on all other Banks.

We enclose the circular of UFBU and urge upon all our Units and State Committees to effectively campaign on all the issues and prepare for the strike on 7^th July 2011.

With greetings,

/R.J.SRIDHARAN/

TEXT OF UFBU/2011/CIRCULAR No. 3 dated22^nd May, 2011

Dear Comrades,

█    UFBU’S CLARION CALL

█    OBSERVE ALL INDIA STRIKE ON 7^TH JULY, 2011

      TO OPPOSE BANKING SECTOR REFORMS

      TO PROTEST OUTSORUCING OF BANK JOBS

      TO SCRAP KHANDELWAL COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

      TO SETTLE PENDING ISSUES AND DEMANDS

NATIONAL CONVENTION

A National Convention was organised by UFBU in Delhi on 20^th May, 2011 in the context of the increasing attempts to expedite banking sector reforms, to outsource permanent and perennial banking jobs and services, to foist the retrograde recommendations of Khandelwal Committee Report and the inordinate delay in resolving the important issues of the bank employees and officers.

More than 600 delegates from the constituent unions participated in the Convention.

The Convention was presided over by the following leaders :-

1.         Com. Rajen Nagar, AIBEA

2.         Com. K.D.Khera, AIBOC

3.         Com. Milind Nadkarmi, NCBE

4.         Com. N.S.Virk, AIBOA

5.         Com. Ramesh Babu, BEFI

6.         Com. B.S.Gill, INBEF

7.         Com. K.K.Nair, INBOC

8.         Com. Dinesh Kulkarni, NOBW

9.         Com. A.N.Madhusudan, NOBO

Com. Harvinder Singh (AIBOC) extended a warm welcome to all the participants in the Convention.

Com. C.H. Venkatachalam, Convenor, explained the seriousness of the issues before the bank employees and presented the Declaration proposing an All India Agitation & Strike on 7^th July, 2011.  Com. G.D. Nadaf (AIBOC) seconded the Declaration.

Leaders of the UFBU constituent unions spoke in support of the Declaration and appealed for successful implementation of the programmes.

Support from Central Trade Unions :-

The following leaders of the Central Trade Unions took part in our convention.

1.         Dr.    Sanjeeva Reddy, President, INTUC

2.         Com. Gurudas Dasgupta, General Secretary, AITUC

3.         Com. B.N.Rai, General Secretary, BMS

4.         Com. A.K.Padmanabhan, President, CITU

5.         Com. Umraomal Purohit, General Secretary, HMS

In their address, they congratulated the UFBU for the unity and united struggle and extended their total support and solidarity to our demands and strike action.

Com. M. S. Upadhyay from General Insurance Employees’ All India Association,     Com. Bhatnagar from All India Insurance Employees’ Association and Mr. S.C. Jain from All India Bank Retirees Federation greeted our convention and extended their support.

Thereafter, the participants adopted the Declaration unanimously resolving to make the strike a grand success.  Com Nandkishore (NCBE) proposed a vote of thanks.

1.            Do not privatise Public Sector Banks

2.            Do not reduce Government’s equity in Public Sector Banks

3.            Do not avail World Bank Loan to capitalise Public Sector Banks

4.            Do not proceed with merger of Banks including the Associate Banks with SBI.

5.            Do not allow unrestricted entry of foreign capital in banking sector.

6.            Do not delete Section 12(2) of Banking Regulations Act 

7.            Do not remove the ceiling on voting rights of foreign investors.

8.            Do not issue licence to industrial houses to start their own Banks.

9.            Do not outsource permanent banking jobs and normal banking services

10.          Do not proceed with the scheme of private business correspondents

11.          Do not violate provisions of Bipartite Settlement on outsourcing

12.          Provide adequate staff in Banks through recruitments to maintain and improve customer services.

13.          Revive BSRBs for recruitment of staff in Public Sector Banks.

14.          Implement the compassionate appointment /financial compensa-tion scheme as finalised between IBA & UFBU.

15.          Issue revised uniform guidelines on house building loan, vehicle loan and festival advance to bank staff.

16.          Implement 5 day banking

17.          Regulate and define working hours of bank officers.

18.          Improve Pension Scheme in banking sector on the lines of Central Government Scheme - updation of Pension along with wage revision of in service employees, uniform D.A. neutralization, improvement in commutation, Family Pension, Ex-Gratia of pre – 1986 retirees, etc.

19.          Withdrawal of Government’s arbitrary instructions to Banks not to improve/amend any service condition without their permission.

20.          Scrap Khandelwal Committee Recommendations.

Further agitational programmes and strikes will be announced thereafter.

We call upon all our unions and members at all levels to plunge into action and implement the programmes effectively.

MARCH ON TO AGITATION  -  MARCH ON TO STRUGGLE

MARCH ON TO STRIKE ACTION  -  MARCH ON TO SUCCESS.

With greetings,

Yours Comradely,

/sd/C.H.VENKATACHALAM

CONVENER

Circular No.17 :V:2011

May 26, 2011

To:

ALL UNITS / STATE COMMITTEES

Comrades,

Furnished herein is the text of the declaration adopted at the meeting of the UFBU along with Central Trade Unions held at New Delhi on 20.05.2011.

The declaration which was adopted unanimously by the convention after the representatives addressed the convention is self explanatory and has called upon Bankmen to observe ALL INDIA STRIKE on 7^th July, 2011.

AIBOA in the UFBU meeting apart from endorsing all the issues national, Banking sector and employee related and urged upon UFBU to take up the issue of extension of SBI pension costing allowance to all Banks in order to restore sanctity of Bipartite settlement on account of the following irrefutable reasons.  We are sure that stone walling the issue will not be prove UFBU tobe useful forum as majority officers and employees feel betrayed and no one showed support stonewalling by SBI unions who are having the caske and eating it too thanks to UFBU’s reluctance.

The reason for the demands are

1.    One more option demand was raised by all the unions at any  cost as a vital issue and at the time demand was raised, SBI unions never raised any demand for SBI balancing.

2.    In the MOU dated 27.11.2009 singed by all unions there was no commitment for SBI pension costing.

3.    The issue of SBI unions not singing the MOU was echoed in UFBU and ultimately it was decided to allow SBI pension costing for pension improvements in SBI.

4.    The Convenor took up the issue with Govt. and ultimately the SBI pension costing was allowed in the Bipartite settlement with a specific provision of Govt., concurrence in respect of disposal of this SBI pension costing account.

5.    It is now mystery as to why when SBI has to provide this year a whopping 2473 crores for pension fund and a huge liability on pension 7900 crores not provided earlier is being adjusted from reserves now why the then Chairman allowed cash payment of pension improvement amount to SBI employees ?

6.    In the final analysis while all other Banks pay about 1500 crores during the settlement period at about 4-1/2% for increased pension cost through every month payment, SBI officers and employees are getting about 1400 crores by this payment [in cash every month].  That is how we to sanctity of Bipartite is affected and this allowance should be extended to all banks not only to SBI.

Hence AIBOA has decided that the demand for 7^th July 2011 strike will be as follows.

1.    UFBU demands as per UFBU circular No.3 dated 22.05.2011

2.    SBI pension costing amount to be extended to all other Banks and

Our Units should concentrate and highlight the above demands along with defined working hours for officers and 5 days week as also all the 20 demands of UFBU listed in their circular..  Participate in all preparatory programmes as circulated by UFBU at every centre with gusto and unity.

With greetings

/R.J.SRIDHARAN/

GENERAL SECRETARY

UNITED FORUM OF BANK UNIONS

( AIBEA – AIBOC – NCBE – AIBOA – BEFI – INBEF – INBOC – NOBW – NOBO )

DECLARATION

This National Convention of trade unions of bank employees and bank officers under the banner of United Forum of Bank Unions and representing near total of employees and officers of the Indian Banking Industry notes with serious concern the various financial policies of the Government which are detrimental to the interest of the banking sector, public interest, banking staff and their rights and benefits.

In the name of banking sector reforms, the Government is attempting to reduce their share of Equity Capital in the Public Sector Banks thereby increasing the hold of private capital in these Banks.  Recently the Government has availed loan from World Bank in order to capitalise the Banks and thus bringing the conditionalities of the World Bank over the performance and functioning of our Banks.  The Government is also pursuing their policy of consolidation and merger of Public Sector Banks which are totally unwarranted and would in no way benefit to strengthen our Banks.  Similarly, the Government is also encouraging more FDI in the Banks, particularly in the Private Sector Banks and has introduced a Banking Regulation Act Amendment Bill in the Parliament for removing the existing ceiling on voting rights of the foreign investors.

The Government has also announced its decisions to formulate new banking licensing policy to enable Industrial houses to start Banks.  Even on issues like outsourcing the permanent and perennial jobs, the managements are pursuing reckless policy of Outsourcing various jobs and services. To compound the problem, Banks are appointing private Business Correspondents and Business facilitators which is nothing but privatizing the banking jobs and services. 

The Convention notes with serious concern the retrograde proposals of the Khandelwal Committee like dismantling industry-level wage settlement, introduction of Fixed / Variable Pay for employees, freehand to transfer employees, freedom to outsource all permanent bank jobs, etc. and rejects the Report and demands its withdrawal.

On issues concerning the employees and officers, important issues are being glossed over.  The revised scheme on compassionate ground Appointment/Financial Compensation to the family of deceased employees stood resolved between IBA and UFBU long back but till today it has not been approved by the Government and allowed for implementation.  When better customer service is the cry of the day, adequate employees and officers are not being provided at the Branches.  There is dire need to resort to massive recruitments and revival of BSRB for undertaking this process as against the existing private agency.  The demand for improvements in pension scheme on the lines of the Government Scheme like updation of pension, 100% DA neutralisation on Pension, improvement in commutation, family pension, ex-gratia for pre-1986 retirees, etc. are most genuine issues but not being attended to by the Government.  Introduction of 5 day week, regulated and defined working hours for Officers, etc. are also very important issues that need to be resolved expeditiously.  On the other hand, Government has given instructions that no service conditions of the employees in the Banks should be improved upon without their specific approval.

All these have created a situation of total unrest amongst the employees and officers of the banking sector.

This Convention, after careful deliberations and consideration, has come to the unanimous conclusion that, all out efforts should be taken by the UFBU to fight back the increasing attacks on the banking sector and on the bank employees and officers and build up programs, agitation to repulse these attacks.

The Convention, accordingly, gives the following action programs:

1.     Submission of Mass Memorandum to Bank managements by all our unions.

2.     Deputation to CMDs of Banks by UFBU Constituents in each bank.

3.     Mass Demonstrations before Banks throughout the Country on a day to be decided locally(Between 20-25th June, 2011).

4.     Badge-wearing on 30.06.2011.

5.     Mass Rallies in major cities and towns on 4.7.2011.

6.     All India Bank Strike on 7.7.2011.

7.     Further agitations and Strike actions to be announced thereafter.

The Convention calls upon all Unions of UFBU and their members throughout the Country to rise as one man and implement the programmes and strike action effectively.

The UFBU appeals to all the Central Trade Unions to extend their full support to our agitational programmes.

   Sd..                                             Sd..                                                   Sd..  

AIBEA                                          AIBOC                                              NCBE

 Sd..                                             Sd..                                                    Sd..  

AIBOA                                         BEFI                                                  INBEF

  Sd..                                             Sd..                                                   Sd..  

INBOC                                         NOBW                                               NOBO

Circular No.16:V:2011

May 26, 2011

To:

ALL UNITS / STATE COMMITTEES

Comrades,

AIBOA participated in the All India convention at New Delhi on 20.05.2011 through its representative Com.N.S.Virk, Vice President as also in the UFBU meeting held on 19^th May, 2011.

As  raised in the earlier UFBU meeting INBOC and AIBOA again raised the issue of parity with SBI and extension of SBI pension costing allowance paid in SBI in violation of UFBU decision and Govt. assurance to make over the agreed amount in Bipartite settlement only for improvement of pension, in this meeting also.

Stone walling by AIBOC – SBI representative and reluctance of UFBU to address the issue that affects majority Bank men and the sanctity of Bipartite settlements has resulted in UFBU listing out so many as 20 issues and yet omitting this vital breach by SBI despite the clause in the agreement for Govt. concurrence on the disposal of the SBI pension costing instituted at the demand of UFBU with IBA/Govt.  Majority of Bank officers and Employees stand deprived and cheated.

AIBOA apart from the UFBU has discussed with AIBEA this issue prior to the UFBU meeting on 20.05.2011.  AIBEA General Secretary has explained that due to need to take all unions in the strike of UFBU, though the issue is relevant and important, due to lack of consensus by UFBU, AIBEA and AIBOA may pursue this issue along with other unions which may agree to fight the same.

Comrades the very fact that SBI management in their financial statements, had to dip into reserves to appropriate 7900 crores to provide for pension liability and to provide in the current year alone 2473 crores in the P&L account for pension liability raises the question as to why the “SBI pension costing” amount earmarked as a compromise to settle one more option issue in Banks should be spent by SBI on allowance when SBI pension costing was clearly given for pension improvements.  This raises the ;question why Govt., should blink it eye despite commitment in the settlement and assurance to UFBU.

We leave it to the Bank employees to judge the role of all players viz., SBI, IBA, Govt., UFBU, Constituents and wish to quote that one may cheat all the people for sometime, some people for sometime and no one can cheat all the people all the time.

All have to fight the present betrayal of Bipartite which is as important as the fight against for any other issue international or national.

By stone walling UFBU or SBI unions will not gain but will lose enormously their goodwill and credibility.  We appeal to them to agree positively to fight for parity and extension of pension costing to all the other Banks also and to restore sanctity of Bipartite.

With greetings,

/R.J.SRIDHARAN/

GENERAL SECRETARY

August 12, 2010

To:

ALL UNITS / STATE COMMITTEES

Comrades,

We furnish contents of circular issued by the UFBU on the proceedings of UFBU meeting held on 26.07.2010 at Mumbai.

The meeting discussed various matters arising out of the wage revision settlement and pension settlement amongst others.

The circular is exhaustive and our Units / State Committees are advised to keep the membership informed of the developments.

With greetings,

/R.J.SRIDHARAN/

GENERAL SECRETARY

The meeting took note that all the Bank Managements have sent their instructions for implementation of 9^th Bipartite Settlement / Officers Wage Revision and in most of the banks arrears have already been disbursed to the employees and officers.  However, the meeting noted that instructions have not been sent by IBA to the Banks for implementing the Pension Option Settlement.  The Pension Option Settlement provides that employees/officers who are in PF will pay 2.8 times of Nov. 2007 Pay from out of the arrears and the bank managements would offer them the option to join the pension scheme. Unions’ obligation is that employees will pay the additional contribution and managements’ commitment is that pension option would be given.  The UFBU pointed out that while employees and officers have fulfilled their commitment with the recovery of the amount from the arrears, the bank managements are yet to honour their commitment to offer the pension option.  The meeting also took note of a few Court cases in Allahabad, Delhi and Chennai including an interim stay in High Court of Madras obtained by a Union with handful of members (which is not affiliated to any UFBU constituent) attempting to stall the implementation of the pension option for which employees and officers have been waiting for the past so many years.  It was decided that UFBU should ensure the removal of such legal hurdles.  It was also decided to take up the matter with the IBA and the Chief Labour Commissioner, Government of India to ensure immediate implementation of the Pension Option Settlement by extending the offer to existing PF optees as well as to the retirees.

The UFBU welcomed the initiative of the Central Trade Unions to build up a united struggle against important issues like alarming increase in prices, job losses, disinvestments in public sector, violation of labour laws and allocation of funds for schemes for unorganised workers.  The UFBU conveyed its support to all these demands and appreciated the united strike call.  It was decided that each constituent unit will discuss in their respective forum and take a decision for joining the All India Strike on 7^th September 2010.  AIBEA, BEFI, INBEF and INBOC announced that their unions have already taken a decision to join the strike.  Other unions will take their decision in due course of time. 

        3. Khandelwal Committee recommendations to be opposed

The UFBU took note of the recent report of the Khandelwal Committee on HR issues in Public Sector Banks.  The Committee amongst other things has made the following retrograde recommendations:

        1. To outsource all non-core jobs

        2. Direct Recruitment of Officers upto 50 %

        3. Qualification for recruitment: For Clerks : Graduation / For Substaff: 10^th Std.

        4. Fresh Recruitments to be only in Rural and Semi Urban areas

        5. Appointment of exclusive Executive Director ( H R )

        6. Bankwise wage revision based on capacity to pay, profitability, productivity, etc. 

        7. Introduction of Variable Pay as a major component of wages 

       8. Introduction of cost to company concept.

       9. Review of all internal settlements on mobility and transfer of employees

      10.  HR Professionals to be recruited at senior/junior levels.

The UFBU decided to outrightly reject these anti-employee, anti-trade union recommendations and further decided that if there is any attempt to implement the same by the Government or the IBA or by any of the Banks, the same would be opposed through organisational programmes including strike actions.

In the light of the agitational programme by UFBU, the IBA discussed the issue with the UFBU and a revised scheme for compassionate appointments/financial compensation has been mutually worked out more than an year ago.  However, the same is kept pending by the IBA and the Government.  The meeting took exception to this inordinate delay and decided to pursue the issue vigorously for immediate implementation of this scheme.  The UFBU further decided to undertake agitational programmes if necessary to ensure the implementation of the Scheme. 

       5. Improvement in Housing Loan, Vehicle Loan and Festival Advance

The meeting noted that overlooking the demand of the UFBU to improve the existing uniform Government guidelines on these schemes, some banks have individually revised the Housing Loan scheme in their banks.  The meeting decided to demand immediate and uniform revision in the Government guideline for higher quantum of housing loan for the staff with reduced rate of interest, improvement in Staff Vehicle Loan scheme and in Festival Advance quantum.

The meeting observed that while securing another option to join the Pension Scheme is a significant achievement by the UFBU, further improvements are required to be made in the Pension Scheme having regard to the changes made in the same under the 6^th Pay Commission Report.   The UFBU decided to take up with the IBA the following issues:

       Periodical updation of Pension along with wage revision for serving employees

-     DA at 100% neutralization for all Pensioners

-     Revising Pension at the common Price Index of 2836 points

-     Increase in Ex-gratia payable to Pre-1986 retirees / widows

-     Improvement in Family Pension

Under the Pension Settlement signed in 1993, employees and officers recruited in the banks from 1.11.1993 are to be automatically covered under the Pension Scheme.  Even though the Government and the IBA assured to resolve this issue, the same is still kept pending.  Hence, UFBU decided to take up the issue with the IBA/Government.

        8. Take over of Bank of Rajasthan by ICICI Bank

The UFBU expressed its protest against the attempt of the ICICI Bank to fraudulently take over the Bank of Rajasthan and extended its support and solidarity to the agitation by the employees and officers in Bank of Rajasthan.  “