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KIND ATTENTION YOUNGER GENERATION BANK EMPLOYEES

K BALASUBRAMANIAN RETIRED UNDER VRS 2001 SCHEME PENSION OPTEE INDIAN BANK

From the ET news posted in the blog regarding wage negotiation process it is very clear that Government / IBA is buying time under one pretext or other in the name of load factor, costing pension etc thereby creating frustration among the cadres. Also this amounts to sidetracking from the real issue i.e. parity with Central Government employees. If the IBA is going on delaying this process, at one time UFBU will be forced to accept the package already offered by IBA on 24 September 2009.

There is justification in getting pension for the persons who were not opted earlier because of the intelligent calculation that AIBOC / BEFI circulated advising the then younger employees to opt for PF. However, the stand of the UFBU in regard to new pension to new employees regarding cut off date of 01.04.2012 instead of IBA s proposal of 01.04.2010 is immature. Non acceptance of the new pension even to the future staff is one thing and just getting it postponed to another two years is another thing. This lacks conviction. Considering the carry forward load in the years to come when the Central Government itself has opted for new pension to its employees, where is the chance for bank men to get the scheme undisturbed. This issue has to be addressed without prestige issue by the leaders and cut off date of 01.04.2010 should be accepted as ALL THE EMPLOYEES AS ON DATE IS GETTING PROTECTED. New employees are going to be employed with higher merged basic pay . If this is one hurdle means it is the fault of UFBU not IBA.

Having shooted out a beautiful letter to MOF by AIBOC leadership seeking parity with central government officers , there seems to be no follow up . There seems to be some unnoticed agenda as SBI packed AIBOC and NCBE wants higher pay and they are not taking new pension to new employees concept lightly. Not only the existing difference in pay that persists should be protected but also the equivalent amount of additional increase because of the unnecessary concept of pension load to nationalized bank employees because of the second option and pension to retirees who opted for PF , is delaying the issue. Last time even on the strike day IBA jocularly withdrew the offer already made and made a mockery of the bipartite system. IBA is deriving guts to reduce offer even on the day of strike. What does it mean ?

When millions of State , Central, Public Sector Employees got fantastic wage revision at a huge burden to the public exchequer why this partisan treatment to bank employees. If the answer to this question may come through court THEN UFBU should explore that possibility also as the balance sheets are sound and can absorb the wage /pension burden . Let them say GOODBYE to this bipartite and seek justice by engaging eminent juries. PATNA HIGH COURT TODAY DIRECTED THE GOVT TO IMPLEMENT THE SIXTH PAY COMMISSION TO THE COURT EMPLOYEES. Let them also say goodbye to the proposed march to Parliament against banking reforms which is causing irritation to GOVT who wants to make some reform in the banking sector. Accept some reforms like consolidation and out sourcing etc which have direct impact on establishment expenses. Unless and otherwise the attitude of the unions change nothing is going to materialize as this blog will get letters and comments from the frustrated bank men.

Salary increase since IV th pay commission is because of the change in attitude of the government in favour of its employees. That legacy is continuing and pouring as benefits. Money / load will not be a constraint factor to the government if the attitude of UFBU changes. If unions cooperate with the government in implementing some of the reforms so as to please the world bank, then government will automatically climb down, PM will intervene and settle the issue. If we accept for merger then it will be very good for all. No repetition of LEHMAN BROTHERS OR CITI BANK ETC will happen in INDIA because we are governed by strong RBI policies. This simple factor is very well known to both sides. If it appears to be a compromise or a set back it has to accept the same in the overall interest of bank employees and officers for betterment of the service conditions.

We once again take it for granted that even congressmen will not accept complete reforms that may be proposed to the dictate of the world bank. What ever possible wherever there is direct link with the cost in the interest of the employees if it is the only way has to be accepted. It need not be construed as surrender of right but the need of the hour if government wants. If we are not going to achieve parity now by sacrificing certain principles it will never be achieved in future as DA INCREASES GAP ALSO WILL SUBSTANTIALLY GO UP.
SO THE LEADERSHIP SHOULD ACT IMMEDIATELY BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE AND SILENCE IS NOT THE ANSWER. FULL PACKAGE INCLUDING PENSION OPTION, PENSION UPDATION, FULL NEUTRALIZATION WITHOUT CALCULATING LOAD IS POSSIBLE IF UBFU STARTS A DIALOGUE ON REFORMS WITH IBA/GOVERNMENT.

4th November, 2009

Mr. Deepak Kumar has sent the following comments on above article :

"I have read complete article but one thing we always forget that the level of Risk we as banker carrying, the other Central Government employees (of Non-Banking) never carries then also our Govt and top leaders are not getting our point. Banking industry are generating profit and contributing to the government and acting as profit center on other side most of the non banking industries are acting as cost centers/ non profit making organisation, in spite of this we are under paid. we are working with 6 days (without any time limit) and other most of the government organisation are working with 5 days only and paid much higher then us what we can say for this act of our Govt.

The above points are very crucial for banking industry and it will harm industry in long run and it will also destroying the human resources in the industry, so it should be taken care immediate.

You are requested to take up these matter also among our colleague.

A younger banker "

Mr. V. A. Galagali has sent the following mail to us :

"I fully agree with the views of the author. It is high time that the unions sit for settlement. Merger and outsourcing are not hurdles to employees. Putting some unwanted conditions such as pension for new staff have no stuff at all. Again the dead silence on the part of the leaders is not at all tolerable. They must remember that there are about 10 lakh employees waiting for the settlement. Union and Association leaders must wake up now and sign the deal. Better late than never".

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