Bank staff miffed over govt’s ‘casual approach’ to wage talks

Bank employees have begun to voice their displeasure over what they call the Government's ‘casual’ approach in settling their wage accord, which is overdue. The 9th wage settlement expired in October 2012. A year has passed but negotiations have hardly taken off, said C.H. Venkatachalam, General Secretary, All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA). The 10th bipartite talk between bank unions and Indian Banks Association (IBA) to decide on the quantum of wage increase for bank employees is currently on. Each settlement is valid for five years. The current settlement would be valid from November 2012 to October 2017. Read more >> Click here

AIBOA Circular on Wage Revision - 5th Round of Talks

ALL INDIA BANK OFFICERS' ASSOCIATION

> WAGE REVISION 5^TH ROUND      

> NO HEADWAY MADE  ON LOAD FACTOR               

> DEMONSTRATION ON 22 -10-2013

The 5^th round of Wage talks on 11-10-2013 was held at IBA Office , WTC Cuffe Parade, Mumbai.The IBA team was headed by Sri R K Dubey , Chairman Core Group under Negotiating Committee , Sri Balakrishna V Chabubal DMD of State Bank of India, Sri S K Das, ED Bank of Baroda, Sri Rakesh K Sethi , ED PNB, Sri K Unnikrishnan, DY CEO, IBA besides the IBA Officers associated with the back up team.  Eleven Unions’ representatives were present in the discussions.

2.         Preceded by this meeting , was the meeting of 9 unions at the Office of All India State Bank of India Staff Federation, 2^nd Floor State Bank of India H Q Nariman Point Mumbai to draw the collective and cohesive plan of presentation of views of all the participants.  The issues taken up for discussion were

 a)        Hospitalisation Scheme IBA Proposal,

 b)       Compassionate ground appointment Status

 c)        Uniform holidays cheque truncation system (CTS)

 d)       Wage Load ,

 e)        Expeditious conclusion of  talks

 f)         Increase in the number of participants in the negotiation

 g)       Change in the D A Pattern  - Index and also monthly payment  of

per point rise

 h)       keeping the  superannuation cost outside the wage calculation etc 

 i)         Officers’ Unions’ demand of negotiating for all the officers up to scale VII instead of upto  scale III as proposed by  IBA and

 j)         5days a week.

3.         As per the practice of IBA, the meeting was used to be held in three sessions  i.e. one common session with all the eleven unions, one exclusive session with Officers unions’ and the next one with workmen unions’ with a lunch break.  But this time it was clubbed to only one session spreading over a period 120 minutes from 12.15 hours.

4.         IBA side was more keen to have a dialogue reinitiated on hospitalisation scheme along with the response to the clarifications sought by the unions and also to draw up the components for filling up the “wage  basket” for proceeding further in the wage talks.

5          Since the entire exercise was more of sharing informations and viewpoints from both the sides, with no conclusive decision on issues raised by us with particular reference to wage load in the background of external developments taking place like appointment of 7^th pay commission ahead of the commencement day ie 1 1 2016 and the Port and Dock workers issues getting underway, it was felt necessary that the participating unions are forced to the wall to pursue the path of agitation as   “ united struggles can alone provide the progress in the matter”.

6.         Assessing the mood and the restiveness of the rank and file , it was decided by the 9 Unions to hold a demonstration on the Tuesday, the 22-10-2013 at all the State Capitals and Major centres with  a single point agenda of“Expeditious wage settlement”.

7. AIBOA,  directs all State Committees and affiliated units to participate in the demonstration to be held on 22-10-2013 (Tuesday) throughout the country and make it a grand success.

With greetings

Yours comradely

/S NAGARAJAN/

GENERAL SECRETARY

Xth BIPARTITE TALKS WITH IBA - UFBU Circular reproduced by AIBEA

UFBU Circular No.6 dtd 11.10.2013  - 5th Round of Talks

Another round of bipartite discussions was held today in Mumbai between IBA and UFBU on our demands for wage revision.  IBA was represented by its Core Committee led by Shri R K Dubey, CMD, Canara Bank and UFBU was represented by all the Nine Constituent Unions.

D.A. Formula:  Revision of Dearness Allowance formula has been discussed at length since the CPI points under 1960-series are no longer compiled and published and the DA payable is being arrived at after duly converting the Consumer Price Index (CPI) points compiled under 2001-series.  UFBU has impressed upon the need to switch over to CPI 2001-series for payment of DA and revision of DA on monthly basis.  IBA said that they have to examine the matter in detail before responding.

Reimbursement of Hospitalisation Expenses:  Management wanted to know the response of the UFBU on introduction of Medical Insurance Scheme.  UFBU constituents after elaborate discussions among the unions decided to have improvements in the present scheme and have it in-house rather than switching over to insurance especially in view of the difficulties faced wherever the insurance scheme is in operation.  Hence, UFBU conveyed to IBA its disinclination towards introduction of Medical Insurance Scheme in place of the existing scheme for Reimbursement of Hospitalisation Expenses.  However, the IBA suggested that whatever difficulties that are being envisaged could be discussed and sorted out and requested UFBU to reconsider its viewpoints.

Compassionate Appointments:  UFBU sought to know the developments in regard to Compassionate Appointments, since a long time has elapsed after sending recommendations of IBA on the Scheme to the Ministry of Finance, Government of India.  IBA informed that the matter is still pending with the Government.  UFBU exhorted upon the need to finalise the matter immediately as it has been lingering on for many years without any resolution.

Superannuation Cost:  UFBU demanded that the cost on superannuation and welfare measures should not be included in the cost of wage revision.  IBA said that they would examine the matter.

Five-day Week: UFBU has insisted for introduction of 5-day week in the banking industry for the reason that after introduction of technology, various alternate channels like ATMs, Net Banking, etc. are widely available and being utilized by the customers, and hence, it would not cause any inconvenience.  Besides it is a common and growing phenomenon globally to have 5-day week to ensure better quality of life.  IBA assured to examine the matter.

Introduction of concepts of Cost-to-Company (CTC) and Variable Pay:  UFBU has conveyed unequivocally its opposition for the introduction of concepts of CTC and Variable Pay in the banking industry.

Wage revision of officers:  Responding to the earlier stand taken by IBA to restrict negotiations in case of officers from Scale-I to Scale-III alone excluding officers from Scale-IV to VII, UFBU demanded that the negotiations should be held with the negotiating unions on wages and service conditions of all officers from Scale-I to Scale-VII as hitherto especially in view of the service conditions being common for all the categories and also to ensure relativity between the Scales.

Directions to work on Holidays declared under N.I. Act:  Most of the holidays declared for festivals in various States under N.I. Act differ from State to State resulting in most of the festivals days would happened to be a working day in one State or the other.  After introduction of Cheque Truncation System (CTS) on grid basis, since there is no common holiday in the respective States connected under any grid, bank employees and officers are forced to work on festival days foregoing the holiday as well as the traditional rituals to be performed on those festival days adversely affecting their sentiments and social obligations.  UFBU exhorted the need to delink the operations of CTS of a particular State from the Grid on the day in which it is declared a holiday under N.I. Act to enable the employees to follow their customs and perform the rituals as per their religions.

Similarly, on other holidays/Sundays, the Banks are directed to keep open their branches quoting the reason of continuous holidays or for accepting the Government challans/Tax payments.  UFBU impressed upon IBA that in the present technological environment, with the availability of alternate channels like ATMs, Net Banking, etc. the necessity to keep open branches on holidays is obviated.  Besides, it is becoming unproductive as the business that is being transacted is too low in relation to the expenditure being incurred by banks to work on a holiday. 

IBA has appreciated the difficulties of the employees and officers and the reasons adduced by UFBU and assured to take up the matter with the authorities concerned.

Wage Revision and Increase in Wages:  UFBU wanted to know the response of IBA on the wage load and the offer of IBA on wage increase.   IBA expressed its inability to respond in the absence of mandate from the authorities concerned.  UFBU expressed its concern in not holding the meetings on regular basis at frequent intervals and undue delay in the process of wage negotiations.  UFBU expressed its dissatisfaction and insisted for expeditious wage settlement. 

Comrades, since there is no satisfactory progress towards revision of wages and it is unduly delayed, the Constituents of UFBU decided to exhibit their dissatisfaction.  UFBU has, accordingly, decided to express its dissatisfaction by conducting demonstrations throughout the country in all State Capitals and other Major Centres on 22^nd October 2013 demanding expeditious wage settlement.  We request all our units/members to conduct massive demonstrations at all these Centre and make it a thunderous success.

We also exhort upon our units and members to be in readiness for further agitations, including strike if need be, if there is no positive and expeditious response from the Government/IBA to settle the 10^th Bipartite Wage Settlement at the earliest.

Sd/-

M V Murali

Convenor

Latest Developments in Xth Bipartite Settlement

Dear Comrades,

In today's meeting, IBA has not come out with any proposal on wage increase as assured in Last Meeting. Other issues are discussed. Circular with details follows. UFBU calls for demonstration on 22nd October in all State Capitals and major centres demanding early Wage Revision.

Wait for detailed Circular.............Circular will be updated in "Whatz New"

Latest Developments on Xth Bipartite Settlement

Dear Comrade,

Next Round of discussion with IBA on 10th Bipartite Demands  

will be held on 11th October, 2013 - AICBOA/CBOU-AP

60 crore people do not have bank accounts: Venkatachalam

All India Bank Employees' Association general secretary C H Venkatachalam today said around 60 crore people in the country do not have accounts in banks due to insufficient numbers of branches in rural areas.  Talking to reporters after addressing the state-level conference of State Bank of Patiala employees' union, he said inflationand recession have badly affected the country's economy. 

Referring to revision of wages, he said the last wage pact for banks had expired in October 2012 and more than nine months have passed, but other than some preliminary discussions, no serious negotiations have been held on the demands so far.

Read more >> Click here

10 ways in which you can negotiate your salary

If you didn't bag the best compensation in the market when you switched jobs, don't worry. The best of professionals come up short when it comes to discussing salary with a new employer. Here are some of the common mistakes you can avoid while discussing your salary with a potential employer.

1) Accept initial offer and lose Rs 1 crore

Always, always, always negotiate. Women and first-time job seekers are more prone to accepting the opening offer without questioning it. A 10% salary difference in the first job with a CTC of Rs 4 lakh represents a lifetime loss of over Rs 1 crore, assuming a 15% annual hike over a 40-year career.

Read more >> Click here

AIBOA Circular on 4th Round Talks of Xth Bipartite Settlement - A Ray of Hope

The fourth round of the  Officers Wage Revision talks with the representatives of the Indian Banks Association [IBA] was held at Mumbai on 12thAugust 2013. In fact the discussions were held in two sessions, separated only by lunch in between at 1 pm.

The IBA team was headed by Chairman of the Negotiating Team of IBA, Sri T M Bhasin  along with Sri H Upendra Kamath CMD Vijaya Bank; Sri R K Dubey CMD Canara Bank; Sri Balakrishna Chaubal DMD SBI; Sri Rajiv Rishi, CMD CBI; Sri R K Sethi ED PNB; Sri A K Dutt, ED of Dena Bank; Dr Ramakrishnan CEO IBA and Sri K Unnikrishnan Dy. CEO IBA  besides other members of the back up team of the IBA.

The representatives of the 4 Officers’ organizations  and 7 workmen Unions  participated in the discussions. Representing the Unions, Com M V Murali, Convenor of UFBU informed IBA of the change in composition of the UFBU as Com K K Nair General Secretary INBOC has been elected as the Chairman of the UFBU. The meeting recorded the deepest condolence in memory of Com R J Sridharan, Chairman AIBOA, and who was a member of the negotiating team on behalf of AIBOA till the 6^th Joint note exercise with IBA,who breathed his last on the 15^th June 2013 at Chennai.

While initiating the dialogue, the Chairman of the Negotiating team informed the efforts taken by IBA in setting the negotiation in motion by taking up the matter with the Government of India. In his presentation he was making an appeal  that the discussions held should be kept as sacrosanct and till the finalization of the issues , approaching the print media  by unions should be avoided.

Compassionate Ground appointments: This issue is pending for resolution from March 2006. In the conciliation meeting  held at Delhi in the third week of January 2008, it was assured to address and resolve the issue by taking up with Government of India. This matter was vigorously taken up on 23^rd May 2013 in the meeting held with Sri KR Kamath Chairman IBA at PNB Headquarters Delhi, along with host of other issues. Once again,on  6^thAugust 2013, when the 9 unions representatives met the Hon’ble Finance Minister it was reiterated for an early resolution of this issue. In this background, Sri T M Bhasin, Chairman Negotiating committee, IBA, informed that the Government guidelines on compassionate ground appointments coupled with monetary compensation slab wise has been recommended to the Government for their approval.

Hospitalisation Scheme  : Upon the request made by IBA,  for a presentation by the experts on  Health Insurance  for the benefit of the Unions, a hour long  power point presentation was made by the team. It was agreed to have the response from the Unions, in the matter of entertaining the proposals suggested by one of the leading Public Sector Insurance Companies who had already discussed the matter with one of the leading public sector banks in India.  The matter is at the nascent state .

UFBU Convenor Com M V Murali insisted for the response of IBA, on the 3 issues  pending with IBA. i.e Date of effect, Merger Points and the load  factor . While iBA, responded positively, in the matter of date of  effect of the current settlement from 1 11 2012, insisted for our response, on cost to company proposal of the IBA. An effective and convincing arguments were presented from the unions side. The discussion stood adjourned for lunch.

On resumption, IBA did present the huge pension liability on account of AS 15 application  and proposed to stick to DA Merger at August 2009 level in the initial stage. There was a hard bargaining from the Unions side and ultimately it was agreed to follow the earlier  pattern of merger of DA. i.e. one year prior to the wage revision i.e. November, 2011  - 4440 points which would mean merger of DA @60.15%  to facilitate construction of payscales.

The discussions on the Management issues were inconclusive. However, the representatives of the four Officers organizations presented a collective expression that the negotiation should not be restricted up to Scale III and emphasized the same as was  done earlier in the 3^rd round i.e on 7^th June 2013.  It was also further insisted that the total break up of stage wise and scale wise distribution of the Officers establishment expenses data for all the scale i.e. Scale I to Scale VII should be provided by IBA to the Officers organizations to enable them to commence the calculation work.

Comrades, with the clinching of two significant and important issues that constitute the base of the wage revision exercise, in this round of discussions, there is  certainly a ray of hope that the matter would move forward. Further developments in this regard, as and when it emerges, will be informed in due course to all our units/members.

With Greetings,

Yours comradely

 /S NAGARAJAN/

GENERAL SECRETARY

Bipartite talks with IBA - 12th August, 2013

UFBU Circular is reproduced for information to all our Comrades..........

Com P Venugopala Rao, 
General Secretary, CBOU-AP/
President, AICBOA.


UFBU  CIRCULAR No. UFBU/2013/4                                                          dt. 12.8.2013

Bipartite talks with IBA

Another round of bipartite talks took place today in Mumbai between IBA and UFBU on our demands for wage revision.  IBA was represented by their Negotiating Committee led by its Chairman Shri T M Bhasin. UFBU was represented by all our nine constituent unions.  The meeting condoled the death of Com. R J Sridharan, Chairman, AIBOA, who was in the negotiating committee till 9^th Bipartite Wage Revision. 

The meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere and discussions were fruitful.  In the day-long discussions held, satisfactory decisions on some of the important issues could be arrived at.  Continuing the discussions of the last round of talks held on 7^th June, 2013, we emphasised the need for IBA to expedite and conclude the settlement in a time bound manner.  We also asked them to react and respond to the issues like date of effect for commencement of the revised wages, consumer price index point upto which Dearness Allowance is to be merged with basic pay for construction of revised pay scales, quantum of wage revision, etc. 

Date of effect:  In response, the IBA agreed that the new wage settlement would be effective from 1st November, 2012, i.e. the date from which the 10^th Bipartite Settlement is due. 

Merger of DA for constructing revised Pay Scales:  IBA explained their constraints to consider merger of Dearness Allowance at higher index points. After prolonged discussions and on the insistence of the UFBU for merger of D.A at a higher level to enable construction of Pay Scales in a reasonable manner looking to the Pay Scales of employees and officers in comparable sectors, IBA agreed and conceded to merge Dearness Allowance upto 4440 Consumer Price Index i.e. 401 slabs and construct new pay scales accordingly.

Increase in wage load:  On the offer of the wage load increase, IBA wanted to study the cost impact of the merger before responding.  However, the UFBU reiterated its demand that the offer should be exclusive of superannuation cost and improvements in other welfare measures.  IBA indicated that the same would be kept in mind by them.

REIUBURSEMENT OF HOSPITALISATION EXPENSES:  To our demand for 100% reimbursement of hospitalisation expenses incurred by the employees/officers for self and eligible family members, IBA offered introduction of mediclaim policy facility under which hospitalisation expenses would be reimbursed by the insurance company upto Rs. 2 lacs for substaff, Rs. 3 lacs for clerical staff and Rs. 4 lacs for officers per year. Looking to the various implications of switching over to the new scheme and the need to examine the pros and cons of the scheme, we said that a detailed study is required on the contents of the scheme offered before responding.

Management’s issues:  The management’s issues like introduction of cost to company method, Fixed Pay and Variable Pay concept were discussed and UFBU has given its strong views against the same.  However, the matter remained inconclusive.

Compassionate ground appointment Scheme:  Another vital issue, much dearer to all the bank employees, which is relentlessly being pursued by the UFBU is restoration of compassionate appointments in the Banking Industry. IBA informed us in today's meeting that its recommendations for introduction of compassionate appointment scheme on similar lines prevailing in Central Government for its employees has been sent to Ministry of Finance, Govt. of India for its approval. No doubt, it is an important step in the direction of restoring compassionate appointments in the Banking Industry which is a long pending demand. While thanking the IBA for the positive step taken in this direction, we earnestly hope that the Government would accord its approval at the earliest.

Comrades, in today’s discussions, we could arrive at conclusion on two vital issues i.e. date of effect and merger of dearness allowance.  We thank the team of the Negotiating Committee of IBA for this forward movement in the discussions.

The date for the next round of discussions will be decided in due course.

                                                                                                    

                                                                                                           Sd..

M.V. MURALI

CONVENER

Flash News

Dear Comrades,

As per schedule, today 10th Bipartite Settlement discussions held at Mumbai. In today's meeing, IBA agreed for the following :

1. Revision of Wages effective from 01st November,  2012

2. Merger of DA at 4440 CPI i.e, as on 01.11.2011

Detailed  circular follows.

(P Venugopala Rao)
General Secretary-CBOU-AP/
President - AICBOA
Central Bank Officers Union
Andhra Pradesh

Xth Bipartite Settlement

Dear Comrades,

Next Round of Wage Revision 

Talks with IBA will be held on

12th August, 2013.

Bank unions want ‘adequate increase’ in salary in 10th bipartite wage settlement

Bank unions want ‘adequate increase in salary’ as part of their demands to the management of all banks, represented by the Indian Banks Association (IBA). The 10th bipartite talks between bank unions and IBA are on currently to decide the quantum of wage increase for bank employees for the period covering November 2012 to October 2017. Each settlement is valid for a period of five years. The earlier settlement expired in October 2012.

‘ADEQUATE INCREASE’

C.H. Venkatachalam, General Secretary, All India Bank Employees Association, while laying out the case for an ‘adequate increase’, refused to quantify it. He said that employees should be paid more in view of the alarming price increase, increased job profile, wages in comparable sectors and the profitability of banks.

Click here >>Click here

Circular issued by AIBOA on Xth Bipartite Settlement

 ALL INDIA BANK OFFICERS' ASSOCIATION

Circular No.9:VI:2013                                                                                                         June 8, 2013

ALL UNITS / STATE COMMITTEES

Dear comrades,

WAGE REVISION TALKS WITH IBA – 3^rd ROUND

As indicated in the letter by IBA for the discussion on 07.06.2013 at Mumbai, the 3^rd round discussion was held in three parts [ie] discussion with Officers’ Unions, discussions with 9 Unions + 2 Unions and the third one was with workmen organisations.  IBA negotiation team was led by Shri T.M.Bhasin, Vice Chairmen of IBA.

In the hour long presentation by the IBA team, a sample presentation on “cost to company” of Scale I officer was made and insisted that the negotiation upto Scale III only can be held with the Unions.  We have clearly presented that “C2C” is a new concept presented by them, needs time to respond.  Further it was insisted that the negotiation should be on all scales as certain modifications conceded in the last wage revision has led to aberrations in the construction of scales of  IV/V/VI/and VII and resulting in heartburning .  Other officers’ organisations too had their view points more or less concurring with our submission to IBA.

In the post lunch session participated by 4 unions of officers and 7 unions of workmen, representatives presented the demands viz.

[i] DATE OF EFFECT 

[2] MERGER POINTS AS AT SEPTEMBER 2012[4876 points] 

[3] EXCLUSION OF TERMINAL BENEFITS and

[4] HOSPITALISATION EXPENSES FROM THE WAGE COST.

IBA team responded on merger points as at August 2009 which was unacceptable to the Unions.  Further IBA stated that they will be taking up matter with the Government of India and informed that the developments will be shared with the unions in the next round of discussions.

We shall keep the units informed of the developments.

With greetings,

Yours comradely,

  

/S.NAGARAJAN/

GENERAL SECRETARY

Latest Developments - Xth Bipartite Settlement - 07th June, 2013

Dear Comrades,

In today's discussions with IBA, our Demands like date of effect from 1st November, 2012, Finalization of Merger point of DA, Percentage of Wage hike etc were raised and IBA assured to come back after consultation with Government.  IBA also explained their issues like cost to Company, Performance related Salary etc.  Next Date of talks will be finalized shortly...Bsr

The detailed Circular issued by UFBU available in "Whatz New"

Regards.,

CBIEA and CBOU- AP

Latest Developments in Xth Bipartite Settlements - Next meeting 7th June

ALL INDIA BANK OFFICERS' ASSOCIATION

Circular No.7/VI/2013                                                                                          May 27, 2013

  

ALL UNITS / STATE COMMITTEES

Dear Comrades

MEETING WITH    I B A    CHAIRMAN AT DELHI

While folding up the discussions on 22 4 2013 at IBA Office, Mumbai, it was submitted to the IBA negotiating team the following issues for further taking up with the IBA Chairman.

[a]   Compassionate Ground appointments 

    [b]  Problems arising out of Cheque Truncation System/Southern Grid and 

   [c]  Increase in the number of participants in the negotiating team on  behalf of the unions.

According to the above, a meeting with IBA Chairman at PNB head quarters at Delhi on 23/5/2013 in the afternoon was held.

2. Preceding the meeting the 9 unions meeting was held at the Delhi State Bank Employees Federation  Office  at 11 A M.  The meeting was presided over by Com Ashwini Rana General Secretary NOBW.

3. The meeting had  the benefit of the presentation of the proceedings of the earlier meetings held on 31/1/2013, 22/02/2013 and 22/4/2013 by  Com P K Sarkar Convener UFBU.

4.A brief presentation on the recent  developments in Banking sector  with particular reference to “Mergers of Banks”, “Associate Banks merger with SBI” , “disinvestment of capital in RRBs”, “ issuances of Banking licences to Private players” and  “attempts to amend the Banking laws to  indulge in speculative business  besides the approach of the IBA in the second round of the discussion with negotiating unions on 22 4 2013 took place.

5. After a thread bare deliberations by all the representative of nine unions, it was broadly decided to take up the following issues with  Chairman IBA.

i)     Expeditious conclusion of wage talks in a time bound manner.

ii)      Compassionate ground appointments ( as per the letter submitted on 30^th October 2012 to Chairman IBA preceding 

                         submission of    the Charter of demands).

iii)     Enhancement in the number of participants in the negotiation team on behalf the Unions as available   during  8^th

                         Bi partite   discussion.

iv)     Functioning of the Southern grid on account of introduction of Cheque Truncation System in clearing operations and

                          infringements on rights of Officers

v)     5 days week

vi)    Pattern of discussions with 9 Unions by IBA should be continued with out any change.

vii)  Strict adherence of KYC norms.

viii)  Attack on Trade Unions in SBI

6. In the meeting held at PNB head quarters at Delhi, IBA team was led by Sri K R  Kamath Chairman, IBA, Sri TM Bhasin, Chairman of negotiating team,  Shri Rajiv Rishi ED Indian Bank, Sri Srinivasan CEO  Federal Bank and Sri R K Sethi ED PNB.

7. After the brief presentation, the response from IBA was more of non committal except on compassionate ground appointment , an indication to address the issue.

The next meeting with IBA is slated  on 7/6/2013 preceded by a meeting of  9 Unions on 6/6/2013.

We shall keep the developments posted.

Yours comradely

  

/S NAGARAJAN/

GENERAL SECRETARY