UFBU Circular on the outcome of the Bipartite Talks with IBA on 26.9.2014
Bipartite Talks with IBA – UFBU gives strike call
TEXT OF UFBU CIRCULAR
Further to the last round of meeting
held on 17th instant, another round of bipartite meeting was held with
the IBA today (26.9.2014). IBA was represented by Shri Rajeev Rishi (CMD
Central Bank of India), Chairman of the Negotiating Committee along
with other members of the Negotiating Committee. UFBU was represented by
all its constituent unions.
In today’s meeting there was a detailed
discussion on our demand for 100% reimbursement of hospitalisation
expenses incurred by the employees/officers and their family members and
the group mediclaim scheme offered by the IBA in response thereto. We
explained our various apprehensions about the implementation of the
scheme and hassle-free reimbursement of claims thereunder. We reiterated
that employees/officers should not be required to deal directly with
the insurance company or their Third Party Administrators. IBA has
agreed and accordingly clarified that even though employees would be
covered by the mediclaim scheme, they would continue to submit their
claims to the management as hitherto and the reimbursement would be made
by the Banks with the improved benefits of the scheme accruing to the
employees. IBA also agreed to incorporate the suggestions submitted by
the UFBU while finalising the scheme. Hence a broad in-principle
consensus was mutually agreed upon and the final scheme would be worked
out accordingly on the above lines.
We also raised the following issues during the discussions today:
Pension related matters i.e.
100% DA on pension for pre-Nov. 2002 retirees, improvement in family
pension, provision for periodical updation of pension
Introduction of 5 days banking / 5 days working
Regulated working hours for officers
After discussion, IBA informed that they
are inclined to favorably consider the demand of 100% DA on pension for
pre-Nov. 2002 retirees. IBA further informed that cost aspect on
improvement in family pension is being worked out and they would soon
take a decision on the same. IBA responded positively on this issue. As
regards updation of pension, IBA informed that in view of the high cost
involved, it would be difficult to agree to the same. On our insistence,
IBA agreed that any viable and affordable proposition from the UFBU in
this regard would be examined.
As regards 5 day banking / 5 day
working, IBA regretted their inability to accept our demand in the
present situation. From UFBU, we insisted on this issue and hence IBA
agreed that if a detailed note is submitted to them with the requisite
logic and rationale, they would apply their mind afresh on this issue.
On the issue of regulated working hours
for officers, IBA was not inclined to agree to the same. However, on
drawing their attention to the note submitted by the Officers
Organisation, IBA agreed to study the same and react subsequently.
From the IBA, they wanted to know our
views and reactions on introduction of cost to company method as well as
fixed and variable pay concepts. From UFBU we have reiterated our
standpoint that the same are not acceptable to us. IBA also insisted for
limiting the wage revision discussions upto scale III officers instead
of upto scale VII which was also declined by us.
On the vital issue of improvement in the
offer of IBA over 11%, despite our indication that we would be flexible
in our demand, depending on improvements in other areas, IBA has
conveyed that they are unable to improve their offer unless UFBU scale
down further in its demand considering the financial constraints of the
banks. We categorically informed IBA that UFBU would be reasonable and
flexible in its approach provided the same is reciprocated by the IBA on
the issues raised by us and insisted on IBA to improve their offer to
take the negotiations forward. However, IBA was adamant in their stand
and did not improve their offer and stuck to their earlier offer of 11%.
UFBU expressed its unhappiness over the rigid stand of IBA on
improvement.
In the UFBU meeting held subsequently,
representatives of all the constituent unions expressed their
dissatisfaction and condemned the lackadaisical approach and adamant
attitude of IBA and unanimously decided to undertake agitational
programmes to press our demands and to expedite the settlement. After
deliberations, it was decided to observe One day Protest Strike preceded
by the following action programmes:
10.10.2014 – BLACK BADGE WEARING
17.10.2014 – COUNTRY WIDE PROTEST DEMONSTRATIONS
Between 18.10.2014 and 31.10.2014 – ONE DAY DHARNA AT ALL STATE CAPITALS (Date shall be decided by the State Unit of UFBU)
COUNTRY WIDE ONE DAY PROTEST STRIKE
It was also decided that the one day
protest strike shall be followed by intermittent and relay strikes as
well as indefinite strike. Detailed circular on the date of one day
protest strike and other agitation programmes will be issued in due
course.
Source: AIBEA
