Protest by UFBU against IBA’s meager offer of 2% hike

From November, 2017, IBA did not call

Ludhiana: 8th May 2018: (M.S. Bhatia//Punjab Screen)::

On the call given by United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), bank Workmen and Officers are holding massive demonstrations opposing IBA’s meager offer of 2% hike and demanding Expedited & Adequate Wage Revision. As per decision, United Forum of Bank Unions (Unit:Ludhiana) held a massive demonstration  in front of  State Bank of India, Fountain Chowk, Ludhiana. Com. Naresh Gaur, Convener, United Forum of Bank Unions, Com. J.P.Kalra, President State Bank of India Officers Association, Com. Pawan Thakur, President, Punjab Bank Employees” Federation,  Com. J S Mangat, Dy. General Secretary, State Bank of India Officers’ Association, Com. Iqbal Singh Malhi, Dy. General Secretary, SBI Staff Association, Com. K K Khullar, Regional Secretary,  SBI Staff Association, Com. Gurmeet Singh and Com. Chiranjeev Joshi from AIBOA addressed the bank employees.      

While addressing the bank employees, leaders of  United Forum of Bank Unions said that  you are aware that in view of the impending expiry of 10th Bipartite wage settlement/officer wage revision as at the end of October, 2017, the Government had been sending their directive to Banks as early as from 12-1-2016 advising the Banks and Indian Banks Association to commence the wage negotiations and conclude the same not later than November, 2017 when the revised settlement will become due.  There have been several reminders from the Government to the IBA in this regard.

With the same intention to expedite the wage revision settlement, we had submitted our charter of demands to the IBA as early as May, 2017 with a request to negotiate and resolve the demands before November, 2017.  IBA also assured they would endeavour to complete the discussion and conclude the settlement before November, 2017. Even though the discussions by IBA with the UFBU commenced in May, 2017 and even though 15 rounds of negotiations have been held by IBA with the Unions so far, IBA, one pretext or the other, had been avoiding to make any offer in regard to increase in wages. Discussions have been held only on other service conditions but IBA did not make any offer on wage revision.  

From November, 2017, IBA did not call for any meeting to discuss our demands. In this frustrating background, we met the Hon Finance Minister on 21-11-2017. The IBA re-commenced the discussions with UFBU and another round of talks were held after a period of 6 months.

While we were expecting a reasonable offer from the IBA to make a basis for further negotiations, to our surprise and utter disappointment, IBA made an offer of 2% hike in the Wage Bill as on 31-3-2017.  In the last settlement from 2012 to 2017, it was agreed at 15% hike in wage bill.  Since then the banks’ business have grown, workload on employees and officers have increased beyond tolerable limit and hence it was expected that wage revision will be better than last time. 

To substantiate their offer, IBA stated that the financial position of our Banks is not conducive to offer better wage revision and that the Banks profits have been eroded in the recent years. It is well-known that all the Banks have been earning more Operating Profits year after year.

Rs in Crore.

The net profits are getting reduced only due to huge provisions for bad loans and not due to any reasons attributable to the employees and officers of the Banks. Hence denying reasonable wage revision for the bank employees and officers on this count is unfair.

At this hour, we feel that the wage revision demands of bank employees should be settled expeditiously so that the entire workforce in the Banks can concentrate their time and energy in addressing the multiple challenges facing our Banks and to restore the confidence of the people on our Banks.  But the approach of the IBA in attempting to victimise the bank employees and officers with merger wage revision despite best contributions being extended by them in the present trying situation will only result in serious industrial unrest in the Banks and dislocation of banking services.

Hence we expect from IBA to adequately increase their offer and come forward to resolve our demands without precipitation.

Demand for withdrawal of anti people banking reforms

Central Bank of India employees union organised signature campaign

Ludhiana: 14 January 2018: (Punjab Screen Bureau)::  

The Central Bank of India Employees Union (North Zone) and Central Bank Officers Union (Chandigarh Zone) jointly organized a special signature camp as a part of campaign launched by All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA), outside the Central Bank of India at Nizam Road, Ludhiana. It is worth mentioning that this campaign has been launched against the so-called reforms of banks, which will make the common people very distressed. Under this campaign, the public is being made aware about the privatization of the banks. This campaign will continue till January 20. Under this campaign five lakh signatures from Punjab and one crore from across the country will be obtained and mass petition will be presented to hon’ble speaker of Lok Sabha. The customers associated with the banks, as well as the common people, are supporting this campaign by giving a huge response. About one thousand people signed the petition during the camp. 

The leaders who led the campaign in Ludhiana include Comrade Rajesh Verma, General Secretary, Comrade MS Bhatia  - Regional Secretary Central Bank of India Employees Union (North Zone), Comrade Gurmeet Singh - Deputy General Secretary and  Comrade Sunil Grover  Regional Secretary - Central Bank Officers Union (Chandigarh Zone). Members from all the branches of Ludhiana participated in the camp. During this camp, the public asked many questions about banking reforms, which were replied by the organizers. 

The petition this regard includes demand for withdrawal of the FRDI Bill, which is frightening the general public. At the same time, there was a demand for stern action against defaulters who were taking big loans and looting public money. It was demanded that the burden of such loan defaulters should not be imposed on the general public by increasing various service charges. It was also demanded that regular banking services should not be out sourced to private contractors.  Similarly, there was opposition to the handing over of regional rural banks to private sectors. Rate of interest on the bank deposits should be increased and be exempted from income tax. More loans should be given for employment generation projects and to agriculture sector.  

Unconcerned, Casual and Callous Attitude alleged

Central Bank Employees Criticized Bank Management 

Ludhiana: 17th October 2017: (Punjab Screen Bureau)::

The employees and officers of Central Bank of India in large number staged a demonstration against the management to press for their long outstanding demands. This was held in front of the Regional Office of the bank situated at Ferozepur road Ludhiana. Their demands include immediate appointment of the wards of the members who died in harness which are about 200 in number and  lingering for the last two years. The second major demand is recruitment of  all the officers  and clerks allocated  by IBPS. This demonstration is part of the all india agitation call given by All India Central Bank Employees Federation and All India Central Bank Officers Association. Speakers told that the compassionate appointment scheme has been reintroduced in the banks from 5th August 2014 after a long persuation by our apex body AIBEA. Only 7 or 8 substaff members have been given appointment, whereas around 200 appointments are kept pending  for the last more than 2 years. Similarly recently IBPS has allocated around 1860 single window operators, around 500 AFO’s and around 300 PO’s  at the request of Central Bank Management. Bank has preferred to appoint very less number of employees and officers contrary to the need of the branches, leaving the majority of the vacancies unfilled. The leaders criticized the unconcerned attitude of the central office management towards the family meembers of the deceased employees. They declared that if the demands are not fulfilled then there will be one day strike on 7th December 2017. The leaders who addressed included Com. Rajesh Verma-- President, Com. M S Bhatia- Regional Secretary of Central Bank Of India Employees Union ( North Zone) and Com. Gurmeet Singh- Deputy General Secretary and Com. Sunil Grover- Regional Secretary, Central Bank Officers Union( Chd. Zone). The unions are affiliated to AIBEA and AIBOA.

Criminal action against wilful defaulters of banks loans demanded

Countrywide Strike against so-called banking reforms 

Ludhiana: 28th February 2017: (Punjab Screen Bureau)::

On the call given by United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), one million bank Workmen and Officers are observing country wide Strike TODAY agianst so called banking reforms by the Government. As per decision, United Forum of Bank Unions (Unit : Ludhiana) held a massive demonstration  in front of  Canara Bank, Bharat Nagar Chowk, Ludhiana.  Com. Naresh Gaur, Convener, United Forum of Bank Unions, Com. D P Maur, General Secretary, Joint Council of Trade Unions, Com B S Walia, President, PAU Employees Union, Com. Harvinder Singh, Sr.Vice President, PBEF Ludhiana and Com. Gurmeet Singh from AIBOA addressed the bank employees.  Com. Ashok Malhan, Com. Rajesh Verma, Vice Presidents, Pb. Bank Employees Federation and Com. Parveen Moudgil, Convener, Women Cell, Pb. Bank Employees Federation were also present. 

While addressing the bank employees, Com. Naresh Gaur said The Unions in the banking industry have been fighting for more than 2 decades against the reform measures of the Government as these are against the interests of general public and labour force in the country.  In the name of reform measures, every effort is being made by the successive Governments since 1991 to shift the control of public sector entities to the private and foreign investors. 

In order to create a conducive environment to the private and foreign investors further efforts are being made by the Government to amend the labour laws to suit their needs.  In the banking sector also, there are increasing instances of denial of trade union rights viz. right of representation in the Boards of the Banks, right to collective bargaining, violation of Settlements, questioning to right to strike etc.  Further, every effort is being made to outsource the permanent jobs, in the banking industry too, which is fraught with risks

Hence, UFBU is opposed to the retrograde anti-people banking/labour reforms, the moves of the Government infringing the hard-earned trade union rights and the hazardous practice of outsourcing of permanent jobs.

 The implementation of demonetization and the effects of the same are known to everyone.  The role and the performance of bank employees during the implementation period was appreciated by each and every one including the top management functionaries, Government, customers and the general public.  It is a pity that the day and night hard work and suffering of bank employees and officers are not given due recognition.  The eligible compensation to employees as per bipartite provisions for the extra hours of work performed by them is denied.  Officers were also made to work for long hours and on Sundays/holidays without compensation or with notional payment.

The cost of demonetization as well as the business loss during the demonetization period of nearly two months will have a cascading effect on the balance sheets of the banks, the brunt of which would ultimately fall on the bank employees and officers alone.  It is imperative that the demonetization cost needs to be reimbursed to the Banks by the Government.

Several issues pertaining to the bank employees and officers such as the appointment of workmen/officer employee directors in the boards of many banks, adequate recruitment in all cadres, removal of ceiling on Gratuity, exemption of Income-Tax on Superannuation benefits, improvements in pension/family pension schemes and issues relating to retirees are yet to be resolved.  Despite approval by Government, subsequent to decade long struggle of UFBU, the Compassionate Appointment Scheme is still not introduced in many banks.  Five-day banking is another long pending demand of bank employees and officers.  

The Government is very serious in continuing the retrograde reform measures ignoring the real menace in the banking industry i.e., alarmingly increasing bad loans.  Willful defaulters are also on the increase.  The whole country has so far witnessed that the method of evading repayment also is maximum done by the big and corporate borrowers.  The economy of the country is affected.  There is a need to fix accountability of those responsible for the bad loans.  Criminal action against willful defaulters of bank loans can only reduce such types of irregularities in the banking industry.

On the issues and demands of bank employees and officers including retirees, as mentioned above, it has been unanimously decided by the UFBU to observe One Day All India Bank Strike on the 28^th February 2017.

We sincerely regret the inconvenience to the esteemed customers/general public on account of strike by bank employees and appeal for their moral support to our just cause.        

Halt retrograde Banking Sector reforms

Bank employees held a massive demonstration Main protest organized in front of  Canara Bank

Ludhiana: 29th July 2016: (Punjab Screen Bureau):

• Do not increase private capital in Public Sector Banks

• Do not encourage FDI in banking Sector

• Do not give license to corporates to start Banks

• Do not give license to private hands to open Small Banks and Payment Banks

• Do not consolidate and merge Banks

• Extend more credit to agriculture sector

• Recover bad loans through stringent measures

• Increase interest rate on deposits in Banks

On the call given by United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), one million bank Workmen and Officers are observing country wide Strike TODAY agianst so called banking reforms by the Government. As per decision, United Forum of Bank Unions (Unit : Ludhiana) held a massive demonstration  in front of  Canara Bank, Bharat Nagar Chowk, Ludhiana.  Com. Naresh Gaur, Convener, United Forum of Bank Unions, Com. Pawan Thakur, President, Punjab Bank Employees Federation (Ludhiana Unit), Com. Sanjay Sharma, Vice President, All India Bank Officers Confederation (AIBOC) and Dy. General Secretary, State Bank of India Officers Asociation, Ludhiana Zone, Com. J.P.Kalra, President State Bank of India Officers Association, Com. Iqbal Singh, Asstt. General Secretary, State Bank of India Staff Association, Com. D P Maur, General Secretary, Joint Council of Trade Unions  addressed the bank employees.  Com. Ashok Malhan, Com. Rajesh Verma, Vice Presidents, Pb. Bank Employees Federation and Com. Parveen Moudgil, Convener, Women Cell, Pb. Bank Employees Federation were also present.    

While addressing the bank employees, Com. Naresh Gaur said that all of us are aware about the various attempts of the Government to push through banking reform measures in one way or the other.  The basic idea is to dilute and dismantle public sector banking and boost up private sector banking. We have been consistently fighting against such machinations.  We have been able to build up intensive campaigns, agitations, struggles and strike actions against all these measures.  We can also legitimately feel proud that due to all these persistent efforts, the speed with which these reform measures were proposed to be implemented, could not be of such dimension as planned. But we know that the Government is on their heels to somehow get their agenda implemented.

The Government has also announced their proposals for

merger of PSBs.  Already RBI has announced its scheme for granting licenses to corporates and industrial houses. Further RBI has announced their Guidelines on setting up of Small Private Banks and Payment Banks.  Thus there is a concerted attempt to hand over our banking sector more and more to private hands. We are already aware of the Government’s continuous attempts to push through their reforms agenda aimed at privatisation of banks, consolidation and merger of Banks, etc.  More and more private capital and FDI are being encouraged.  Regional Rural Banks are sought to be privatised and the Bill has been passed by the Government in the Parliament despite protests by our Unions. Primary Agricultural Co-operative Societies (PACs) are under threat of winding up. Urban Co-operative Banks are under threat of delicensing. Private sector executives are imposed on the public sector banks.  All the Government schemes are being imposed on the Banks without proper infrastructure and manpower resulting harassment and problems faced by the bank staff.  Bank officers are being denied regulated working hours. Permanent and regular jobs are being outsourced on contract basis and contract employees are being exploited. Government would like to proceed on its agenda to amend the labour laws without any proper consultation with the trade unions. In the name of banking sector reforms, the attempt is to privatise the Banks and hand them over to the private corporates to enable them to further loot the precious savings of the people. Already our Banks are bleeding due to alarming increase in bad loans, thanks to the deliberate default by the corporates and big business enterprises. Instead of taking tough measures to book the culprits and recover the loans, efforts are taken to hand over the banks to very same defaulters. It is very clear that all their talks of banking reforms and proposals of merger and consolidation are only a ploy and game plan to divert the attention of the people from the massive bad loans in the Banks. Our country needs strong public sector banks and not necessarily big banks or global-sized banks. Our country needs banking expansion and not consolidation of banks and shrinkage of banking services to people. The focus should be the alarming increase in bad loans to the tune of about Rs. 13 lac crore. The efforts should be to recover the money by taking stringent measures and not hush it up through provisions, write-offs, CDRs and SDRs. 

If the loans have been sanctioned wrongly, action should be taken on the concerned Executives.  If the borrower has cheated the Banks, criminal action should be taken against the defaulter. Providing for the bad loans, clean-up of Balance Sheet and making the Banks to incur the losses is not the solution to the problem.  It is obvious, all these are only diversionary tactics to escape from the accountability for the huge bad loans.  Kingfisher Mallya is only the tip of the iceberg.  There are many more sharks in the ocean of bad loans in the Banks.  Why the list of defaulters is not being published by them?  Why criminal action is not taken on the willful corporate defaulters?  Why all velvet treatment to them?  Why the attempt to convert the bad loans as equity investment in these defaulter companies?  Is it the corporate governance and good governance policy of the Government?  In IDBI Bank, 10 years ago, about Rs.9000 crores of bad loans were taken out of their books.  Now another Rs. 19,000 crores is the bad loan.  Instead taking action to recover these bad loans, the Government wants to privatise and sell the Bank to the very same private sector which is responsible for these huge loan default in IDBI Bank.

Joint call to observe All India Bank Strike on 2nd Sept. 2015

* March on to National Protest Strike on 2nd September, 2015            

* Oppose anti-worker Labour Reforms.

* Oppose anti-people Banking Reforms.

* Make the Strike a success in all Banks.

Ludhiana: 27 August 2015: (Punjab Screen Bureau):

All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA), AIBOA, BEFI, INBOC, NOBW, INBEF AND NOBO has given joint call to observe All India Strike on 2nd Sept. 2015 against anti-people Economic Reforms and anti-worker Labour Reforms of the Central Government. More than 100 million workers from all over the country and belonging to all Central Trade Unions and in all sectors will be joining the Strike. It is going to be a most powerful protest and massive disapproval of the retrograde economic and labour policies of the present NDA Government.   

DEMANDING

*STOP ANTI-WORKER LABOUR REFORMS

* STOP ANTI-PEOPLE BANKING REFORMS

* STOP LOOT OF PEOPLE’S MONEY BY CORPORATE LOAN DEFAULTERS

* DECLARE WILLFUL DEFAULT OF BANK LOANS AS CRIMINAL OFFENNCE

* STOP OUTSOURCING OF BANK JOBS

All of us are fully aware of the increasing attacks on the workers and trade unions on their rights and privileges and the encouragement and concessions being extended to the employers in our country.  There are open attempts to amend the various labour laws in favour of the employers and to the detriment of the workers.  The neo-liberal economic policies are only aggravating the problems of the workers and common masses. Banking industry is no exception.  In the Banking industry, we are already aware of the Government’s continuous attempts to push through their reforms agenda aimed at privatisation of banks, consolidation and merger of Banks, etc.  More and more private capital and FDI are being encouraged.  Regional Rural Banks are sought to be privatised and the Bill has been passed by the Government in the Parliament despite protests by our Unions. Primary Agricultural Co-operative Societies (PACs) are under threat of winding up. Urban Co-operative Banks are under threat of delicensing. Private sector executives are imposed on the public sector banks.  All the Government schemes are being imposed on the Banks without proper infrastructure and manpower resulting harassment and problems faced by the bank staff.  Bank officers are being denied regulated working hours.    Permanent and regular jobs are being outsourced on contract basis and contract employees are being exploited. Government would like to proceed on its agenda to amend the labour laws without any proper consultation with the trade unions.

Hence it is necessary and imperative to join the general trade union movement and register our protest against these anti-worker policies of the Government.

(Naresh Gaur)

Secretary

 PUNJAB BANK EMPLOYEES FEDERATION WILL

HOLD A DEMONSTRATION IN FRONT OF 

  CANARA BANK, BHARAT NAGAR CHOWK,

LUDHIANA ON STRIKE DAY i.e. 2ND SEPT.2015 

Banks: Indefinite Strike from 16th March 2015

Posted on Fri, Feb 20, 2015 at 4:26 PM

4 Days strike from 25th Feb 2015
* Indian Banks' Association Backtraacks from its Assurance 
*  United Forum of Bank Unions Decided to Revive the Strike Programme 

Ludhiana: 20 Feb 2015: (Rector Kathuria//Punjab Screen): 

On the decision taken and call given by United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), officers and employees in all the Public Sector Banks are going to observe  4 Days' All India Bank Strike from 25^th February to 28^th February 2015 demanding

 ¨       Immediate Wage Revision

¨       To stop Banking Reforms

 As per decision, United Forum of Bank Unions (Unit : Ludhiana) held a massive demonstration  in front of State Bank of India, Civil Lines, Near Fountain Chowk, Ludhiana.  Com. Naresh Gaur, Convener, United Forum of Bank Unions,  Com. Gulshan Chauhan, Com. J.P.Kalra, (All India Bank Officers’ Confederation), Com. D.C.Landra (NCBE),  Com. Pawan Thakur, President, Punjab Bank Employees Federation (Ludhiana Unit) and Com. Rakesh Khanna,  Associate Banks Officers' Association (Unit : State Bank of Patiala) addressed the bank employees.                   

  

While addressing the bank employees, leaders of the Forum said that in the background of the assurance given by Indian Banks' Association (IBA) towards expeditious wage settlement and considering the positive developments since last conciliation meeting, United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) put on hold its call for 4 days' strike from 21^st January 2015.  In the meeting held on 3^rd February 2015,   IBA finally proposed to improve their offer from 12.5% to 13% and expected UFBU to scale down its demand.  Our sincere and persuasive efforts to negotiate a reasonable and mutually acceptable wage increase are being misunderstood by the IBA and the Government as its weakness. With utmost patience, for the past two years, UFBU has been making its best efforts to settle the demands amicably. At every point of time, we have shown our flexibility. But unfortunately, it is not being reciprocated by IBA.

Leaders further stated that wages and service conditions in the banking sector are governed by the industry level bipartite settlements signed between the Indian Banks Association and the trade unions of bank employees and officers. Public Sector Banks, Private Sector Banks and Foreign Banks who give their mandate to the Indian Banks Association are party to the Settlements and hence are covered by the same. The 9th Bipartite Settlement came to an end on 31-10-2012. Consequently, revision of wages and other service conditions have become due as from 1-11-2012. In view of this,  common set of demands for the employees and officers was submitted to the Indian Banks Association on 30-10-2012. UFBU requested the IBA to adopt a time-bound programme to hold the negotiations on the demands and to expedite the Settlement as early as possible. Even though the formal negotiations started in February 2013, a few rounds of discussions have taken so far. It will be appreciated that the alarming and unabated price rise have seriously eroded the income of the employees and hence the wage revision has become all the more important. The Consumer Price Index has gone up by almost 2400 points under (1960=100) Index series since November, 2007. Hence wage revision to catch up with the high inflation and price rise has become an urgent necessity. Similarly, the workload in the bank branches has gone up substantially due to increase in total volume of business and also due to non-provision of adequate staff and officers in the branches. Employees and officers are working under a lot of stress and strain. The job profile of the staff has also undergone a change and all these require to be properly remunerated with adequate increase in wages. For this reason also the wage increase has become important. But unfortunately, the IBA is delaying the Settlement.

The fact is otherwise :                              Profits of Public Sector Banks

Year	Total Profit	Provision for bad loans  etc	Net profit
31.03.2012	1,16,000 crore	66,000 crore	50,000 crore
31.03.2013	1,21,000 crore	71,000 crore	50,000 crore
31.03.2014	1,27,000 crore	90,000 crorer	37,000 crore

 ¨                     Thus the total profits are increasing but obviously net profit is less due to provision for bad loans which burden should not be passed on to the shoulders of the ordinary employees. In fact, the Unions have assured that we can find out the ways and means to recover the bad loans through stringent measures and improve the profits through better productivity etc but it is unfair to deny their legitimate wage crease. When the entire workforce in the banking industry is making every effort to implement the various programmes of the Government including the recent Jan Dhan Yojana, when employees and officers are working under lot of stress and maximum difficulty due to manpower shortage and increased volume of work, it is regrettable that the Government is remaining a passive spectator without initiating any steps to find an amicable solution to the genuine expectations of bank employees for a better and reasonable wage revision. We have been once again pushed to the path of struggle.  Since the increase in offer of 0.5% by IBA was paltry, inadequate and not satisfactory, UFBU decided to revive the strike programmes as under:-

20th February 2015	Badge Wearing & Demonstrations
23rd February 2015	Press Meet in all State Capitals
24th February 2015	Centralised Demonstrations at all centres
25th  to 28th February 2015	FOUR DAYS ALL INDIA BANK STRIKE
16th March 2015	INDEFINITE STRIKE

Comrades - March ahead with solidarity and unity – Let us exhibit clearly that our united movement brings Success and success alone.....

“WE SHALL FIGHT – WE SHALL FIGHT,TILL WE SUCCEED – WE SHALL FIGHT”

4 Days' All India Bank Strike from 25th February to 28th February

Wed, Feb 18, 2015 at 6:27 PM

INDEFINITE STRIKE FROM 16TH MARCH 2015

ñ    INDIAN BANKS' ASSOCIATION BACKTRACKS FROM ITS ASSURANCE

ñ    UNITED FORUM OF BANK UNIONS DECIDED TO REVIVE THE STRIKE PROGRAMMES

ñ    4 DAYS STRIKE FROM 25TH FEB. to 28^th FEB.  2015

ñ    INDEFINITE STRIKE FROM 16TH MARCH 2015 

On the decision taken and call given by United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), officers and employees in all the Public Sector Banks are going to observe  4 Days' All India Bank Strike from 25^th February to 28^th February 2015 to demanding

 ¨                  Immediate Wage Revision

¨                  To stop Banking Reforms

 For the preparation of 4 days' strike, Punjab Bank Employees Federation (Ludhiana) held a General Body Meeting at Punjabi Bhawan, Bharat Nagar Chowk, Ludhiana.  Com. S.K.Gautam, Joint Secretary, All India Bank Employees Association and General Secretary, Punjab Bank Employees Federation, Com. P.R.Mehta, President,  Com. Amrit Lal, Chairman, Com. G.K.Joshi, Secretary, Punjab Bank Employees Federation and Com. Pawan Thakur, President, Punjab Bank Employees Federation (Ludhiana Unit) addressed the meeting.                                      

  

While addressing the bank employees, Com. S.K.Gautam said that in the background of the assurance given by Indian Banks' Association (IBA) towards expeditious wage settlement and considering the positive developments since last conciliation meeting, United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) put on hold its call for 4 days' strike from 21^st January 2015.  In the meeting held on 3^rd February 2015,   IBA finally proposed to improve their offer from 12.5% to 13% and expected UFBU to scale down its demand.  Our sincere and persuasive efforts to negotiate a reasonable and mutually acceptable wage increase are being misunderstood by the IBA and the Government as its weakness. With utmost patience, for the past two years, UFBU has been making its best efforts to settle the demands amicably. At every point of time, we have shown our flexibility. But unfortunately, it is not being reciprocated by IBA.

 Com. Gautam further stated that wages and service conditions in the banking sector are governed by the industry level bipartite settlements signed between the Indian Banks Association and the trade unions of bank employees and officers. Public Sector Banks, Private Sector Banks and Foreign Banks who give their mandate to the Indian Banks Association are party to the Settlements and hence are covered by the same. The 9th Bipartite Settlement came to an end on 31-10-2012. Consequently, revision of wages and other service conditions have become due as from 1-11-2012. In view of this,  common set of demands for the employees and officers was submitted to the Indian Banks Association on 30-10-2012. UFBU requested the IBA to adopt a time-bound programme to hold the negotiations on the demands and to expedite the Settlement as early as possible. Even though the formal negotiations started in February 2013, a few rounds of discussions have taken so far. It will be appreciated that the alarming and unabated price rise have seriously eroded the income of the employees and hence the wage revision has become all the more important. The Consumer Price Index has gone up by almost 2400 points under (1960=100) Index series since November, 2007. Hence wage revision to catch up with the high inflation and price rise has become an urgent necessity. Similarly, the workload in the bank branches has gone up substantially due to increase in total volume of business and also due to non-provision of adequate staff and officers in the branches. Employees and officers are working under a lot of stress and strain. The job profile of the staff has also undergone a change and all these require to be properly remunerated with adequate increase in wages. For this reason also the wage increase has become important. But unfortunately, the IBA is delaying the Settlement.

The fact is otherwise :                      Profits of Public Sector Banks

Year	Total Profit	Provision for bad loans  etc	Net profit
31.03.2012	1,16,000 crore	66,000 crore	50,000 crore
31.03.2013	1,21,000 crore	71,000 crore	50,000 crore
31.03.2014	1,27,000 crore	90,000 crorer	37,000 crore

 Thus the total profits are increasing but obviously net profit is less due to provision for bad loans which burden should not be passed on to the shoulders of the ordinary employees. In fact, the Unions have assured that we can find out the ways and means to recover the bad loans through stringent measures and improve the profits through better productivity etc but it is unfair to deny their legitimate wage crease.

When the entire workforce in the banking industry is making every effort to implement the various programmes of the Government including the recent Jan Dhan Yojana, when employees and officers are working under lot of stress and maximum difficulty due to manpower shortage and increased volume of work, it is regrettable that the Government is remaining a passive spectator without initiating any steps to find an amicable solution to the genuine expectations of bank employees for a better and reasonable wage revision. We have been once again pushed to the path of struggle.