CIRCULAR/GS/2013/04

CIRCULAR NO: 4                                                                                         Date: 04.02.2013

TO ALL OFFICERS                                                              

Dear Friends,

We reproduce hereunder the Circular No. CIRCULAR/GS/2013/04 dated 04.02.2013 received from our Federation for your information.

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“JOIN THE NATIONWIDE GENERAL STRIKE ON 20TH AND 21STFEBRUARY, 2013 - UFBU’S CLARION CALL

We quote below the UFBU circular on the captioned subject for the information of all officers.

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A meeting of the UFBU was held 0n 2nd Feb 2013 in Mumbai, Sri.D.S. Rishabadas General Secretary of AIBOC presided over meeting.

1) CHARTER OF DEMANDS ON WAGE REVISION:

The meeting took note that most of the Banks have given their mandate to the IBA for negotiating with the unions on the charter of demands for revision of wages and service conditions. The meeting further took note that the IBA is collecting the data from all the banks relating to number of employees, stage wise details, which would be the basis for making calculations on load, Item wise cost etc. In the meantime, it was expected that the IBA would commence the formal negotiations with the unions but IBA has not fixed up the date for the same. Having regard to the need for early wage revision, the meeting decided to address a letter to the IBA to commence the negotiations immediately.

2) BANKING LAWS AMENDED – BILLS PASSED BY PARLIAMENT:

The meeting took note that despite our protests and opposition, the Government had pushed through the Banking Law Amendment Bill providing for certain liberalisation in the Banking Regulations Act and Bank Nationalisation Act besides amending the SAREFEASI /Debt Recovery Act.  However, the clause relating to exemption of bank mergers from Competition Commission and also the clause on allowing Banks to do Forward Contract business had to be withdrawn by the Government and thus the Government could not do all that it wanted to do.

The meeting noted with thanks that number of MPs spoke both in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on these Bills opposing the same and reflected the views and concerned of UFBU.  Some of them moved amendments to the Bill to modify the adverse clauses. While the Government was persisting with the Bill as it is, the MPs belong to entire BPA, Left, TMC, AIADMK, etc. staged a walk out on this issue.  Still the Government went ahead and got the Bills passed manifesting their commitment to the banking reforms.

The meeting expressed its thanks to all these political parties and MPs who echoed our demands inside the Parliament on the occasion of the consideration of these Bills. The meeting further noted that since the Government is serious about their agenda like bank mergers, giving banking license to corporate houses, etc., the UFBU should remain more united and vigilant in the days to come to oppose such measures.

3) ATTACKS IN SBI:

The meeting took note of the attacks of the management on the legitimate trade union rights and the vindictive actions against the leadership of AISBOF. The meeting decided to extend all necessary support and solidarity in case the problems are not sorted out amicably.

4) NATIONWIDE GENERAL STRIKE ON 20TH AND 21ST 2013 FEBRUARY, 2013:

The meeting welcomed the joint call of all Central Trade Unions for the nationwide General Strike on 20th and 21st February, 2013 against the anti people, anti labour, Neo-liberal economic policies being pursued by the government.

The meeting observed that in the banking sector also the government is seriously pursuing their reform measures as evidenced by the recent passage of the banking law amendment bill. The meeting also took note of the Government attempts at consolidation and merger of banks and their recent guidelines to the banks combining the banks into 8 groups In the name of functional co-ordination. Attempts are also afoot to grant licenses to industrial and corporate houses to start their own private banks thus depicting their policy of double standards- expansion of private banks and consolidation of public sector banks. There are also serious efforts to outsource the regular banking jobs and service to private contract agencies which would jeopardize the jobs and job security in the banking sector. In this situation of similar attacks in every sector and the need for a concerted effort to oppose and repulse all these attacks, the meeting welcomed the growing unity amongst the Central Trade Unions and their initiatives of united struggles and actions.

Hence the meeting decided that in continuation of struggles against the economic policies of the Government, UFBU should support the call of the Central Trade Unions and join the nationwide 2 days strike on 20th and 21st February, 2013.Accordingly, strike notice is being served on the IBA and all our units are requested to observe the strike call in all the banks all over the country including the RRBs and Co-operative Banks.

ISSUES AND DEMANDS:

Ø  In support of the 10 point Charter of Demands of Central Trade Unions

Ø  Control alarming price rise

Ø  Hands off trade union rights

Ø  Stop Banking Reforms

Ø  Stop Outsourcing

Ø  Early wage revision

Ø  Settle pending issues like compassionate appointment scheme.

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FRIENDS LET US BUILD BRIDGES WITH MASS ORGANIZATIONS.TIME HAS COME TO DISPLAY OUR SOLIDARITY WITH STRUGGLING MASSES.”

WITH FRATERNAL GREETINGS,

Yours Sincerely,

(A.R. SAIFULLAH)                             

GENERAL SECRETARY