Friday, July 24, 2020

No democracy in UFBU


 Indian National Bank Employees’ Federation (A Banking Wing of INTUC)

  INBEF/GS/SSS/2020/ 40          23rd July 2020 

To, 

Mr. Sanjeev Bandlish Convenor-UFBU. 

Reg: Proceedings and Developments in the Bipartite Talks held on 22nd  July 2020. 

With reference to above we would like to draw your attention to two of our letters dtd. 03.06.2020 and 18.07.2020 wherein we have been constantly demanding that before having talks with IBA’s negotiating committee there should be a full fledged discussion amongst the constituents of UFBU to work out the strategies to arrive at respectable wage settlement.

 Earlier there was a practice that when any constituent of UFBU writes a letter to the convenor, the same was being forwarded to all other constituents for inviting comments and thereafter the matter was being taken up for discussion in UFBU forthcoming meeting and if any urgent matter or issue was there, then the convenor used to call urgent meeting of UFBU.

 However, this practice has not been followed in the context of both of our letters.  Since IBA called virtual meeting on 22nd July 2020, you arranged a virtual meeting amongst UFBU constituents on 21st July 2020 and the said meeting began at 10.00 P M. As the audio was very poor, no fruitful discussion could take place.  Mr.Nagarajan, GS AIBOA left the meeting halfway. 

In the said meeting undersigned had particularly asked how much loading percentage over and above 2% of IBA’s offer would be acceptable to UFBU, but unfortunately nothing was clarified and it was just told that we would be demanding for above 2% loading.  Due to the poor connectivity and unclear audio meeting was winded up at 12.45 AM without any conclusion.   

Next day Mr.Venkatachalam AIBEA, Mr.Sanjeev Bandlish, Convenor, and undersigned GS INBEF were present physically at the meeting venue and Mr.Premkumar Makkar GS INBOC from SBI Delhi LHO, Mr.Nagar President AIBEA, Mr.Soumya Dutta GS AIBOC, Mr.Basu GS BEFI from Kolkata LHO, Mr.Upendrakumar GS, NOBW, Mr.Sunilkumar President AIBOC from Patna LHO, AIBOC, Mr.Nagarajan GS AIBOA, Mr.Bala President NCBE from Chennai LHO and Mr.Tikekar GS NOBO from Pune LHO were present virtually in the meeting with IBA which began from 11.30 A M onwards. 

Mr.Rajkiran Rai, Chairman Negotiation Committee IBA confirmed that 15% of wage bill as on 31.03.2017 is agreeable.  As regards loading factor, IBA began with 2% offer. On pension up-dation IBA said it is open to discuss the same on
Adhoc  basis.  On  Family  Pension  revision  IBA  said  it  would  recommend  the same  to  Government  and  would  try  to  resolve  the  same.   
*On  five  days  week, IBA  stated  that  Government  has  already  rejected  the  same.*

   After  threadbare discussions  for  more  than  2  hours,  IBA  increased  their  initial  offer  from  2%  to 2.25%  and  around  3.00  P  M  meeting  was  adjourned  and  agreed  to  assemble again  at  3.45  P  M.     Thereafter  Mr.Venkatachalam  AIBEA,  Mr.Sanjeev  Bandlish,  Convenor,  and  the undersigned  GS  INBEF  went  to  SBI  Employees  federation  office  to  discuss  the issues,  but  you  both  did  not  raise  the  topic  and  after  some  time  you  both informed  me  that  you  will  be  meeting  Chairman  Negotiation  Committee Mr.Rajkiran  Rai.

   Meeting  resumed  at  around  5.30  P  M  and  IBA  offered  2.40% of  loading  and  you  both  offered  2.70%  which  IBA  denied,  again  you  came  down to  2.60%  but  finally  IBA  offered  2.50%  loading  which  you  both  agreed.   

Before agreeing  to  the  IBA’s  offer  of  2.5%  as  per  procedure  you  should  have  adjourned the  meeting  with  a  reason  to  discuss  the  matter  within  the  constituents  of UFBU.    But  it  was  not  done  so  and  entire  process  was  carried  on  in  an undemocratic  manner  without  taking  views  of  the  constituents  on  the increased  offer.   
Thereafter,  you  both  started  signing  the  memorandum  in presence  of  Mr.Rajneesh  Kumar  Chairman  IBA.   
The  memorandum  was  then placed  before  me  to  sign  and  I  signed  unwillingly  because  if  I  would  have  not done  so,  then  a  scene  would  have  been  created  before  the  IBA  Chairman.   

The then  Convenor  of  UFBU  Mr.M  V  Murli  and  Mr.Venkatachalam  were  aware  that during  the 10th Bi-partite  settlement  eleventh  hour  changes  were  made  as  regards to  loading  and  Special  Pay  was  introduced  which  was  protested  by  INBEF  and accordingly  letter  was  given  to  IBA. 
We  have  seen  this  in  the  matter  of  introducing  7.75%  of  Special  Allowance which  is  not  being  considered  for  calculation  of  terminal  benefits.     

(in 9th BPS) Disparity  in providing  One  more  Pension  option  to  PF  optees,  both  existing  as  well  as retired  one  were  compelled  to  contribute  more  to  avail  the  pension  option. 
Retirees  were  forced  to  bear  156%  of  their  PF  Balance  received  at  the  time  of retirement  but  they  were  given  pension  from  a  future  date  i.e.  27.11.2009 irrespective  of  the  date  of  their  retirement.
 It  also  created  a  distortion  in  as much  as  that  an  employee  retired  on  30.11.2007  had  contributed  2.8  times  of the  revised  pay  as  on  01.11.2007  but  the  employee  retired  on  31.10.2007  was forced  to  refund  1.56  times  of  his  PF  accumulation.   

This  overnight  decision was  a  U  turn  because  of  AIBOA’s  punitive  stand  while  signing  the  Joint  Note dated  27.04.2010  which  was  and  is  against  the  PF  Optees’  and  a  wrong message  was  sent  amongst  the  bank  employees  and  officers.

This  is  not  the  first  time  that  such  type  of  eleventh-hour  changes  is  made  in the  wage  settlement  drafts. 
Shifting  of  base  Index  from  1616  to  1684  while deciding  the  wages  which  was  also  challenged  judicially.   
All  the  earlier  three settlements  were  challenged. 

Thus,  introducing  last  minute  changes  without taking  constituents  into  confidence  and  not  discussing  with  them  shows  the attitude  of  thrusting  upon  the  decisions  on  minority  organisations  and dragging  them  is  totally  undemocratic  approach  being  followed  by  majority organisations. 

In  fact,  under  the  prevailing  scenario  of  Pandemic  there  was  a  public  sympathy wave  for  bank  employees  who  have  rendered  relentless  banking  services  and kept  the  wheels  of  the  basic  banking  needs  of  common  man  moving,  but unfortunately,  we  failed  to  capitalise  the  Public  Sympathy  in  achieving  better settlement.   
This  was  the  right  time  we  should  have  shown  our  unity  and  put pressure  to  bag  maximum  of  our  demands  including  better  loading  factor,  5 days  week,  up-dation  of  pension,  revision  of  family  pension  (which  is  not included  in  MOU  but  verbally  informed  by  IBA  Chairman  that  it  is  agreed  in principle  to  improve  family  pension  to  uniform  30%  for  all  and  without  any ceiling).

All  these  events  of  22nd  July  2020  and  circumstances  points  out  clearly  that being  in  UFBU,  the  voices  of  all  constituents  are  not  heard  and  not  given  due recognition.   
There  is  lack  of  transparency  within  UFBU  functioning.    Majority organisations  try  to  enforce  the  pressure  on  minority  organisations  to  compel and  concur  with  their  stand.   
Earlier  when  UFBU  was  not  there  at  least  the minority  organisations  had  freedom  to  put  forth  their  views  straight  before  IBA separately  and  the  same  were  even  being  discussed  before  arriving  at consensus.   

The  present  style  of  functioning  of  UFBU  is  forcing  us  to  place  our displeasure  on  record.  Before  it  is  too  late  UFBU  should  review  its  style  and functioning  so  that  unitedly  we  can  bag  our  justifiable  demands  for  the  benefits of bank  employees  and  officers.

 With  regards,

Subhash  S  Sawant
General Secretary-INBEF

Cc  to  :  General  Secretaries. 1)  All India  Bank  Employees’  Association  (  AIBEA).
2)  National Confederation  of Bank  Employees  (NCBE).
3)  Bank  Employees'  Federation  of India  (BEFI).
4)  Indian  National Bank  Employees'  Federation  (INBEF).
5)  National Organization  of Bank  Workers  (NOBW).
6)  All India  Bank  Officers'  Confederation  (AIBOC).
7)  All India  Bank  Officers’  Association  (AIBOA).
8)  Indian  National Bank  Officers'  Congress  (INBOC).
9)  National Organization  of Bank  Officers  (NOBO). 

28 comments:

Unknown said...

Why u r barking now ????

Anonymous said...

That’s means no 5 day banking?.....

INdianaPolitico said...

The memorandum was then placed before me to sign and I signed unwillingly because if I would have not done so, then a scene would have been created before the IBA Chairman.

Are you a child?? Were you forced??
Why not create scene then and there only if at all you were concerned about bankers??

This you are doing to get bankers sympathy specially of the members of your union.

Have shame. And if you guys have shame don't even for once raise demand for levy because you guys are selfish people who are since last 3 bipartites looking after your and your benefits only. Shameless morons.

Banker said...

Mr. Rajneesh Kumar is also a banker and even knows the problems of today's banker, despite this, he made wage settlement in such a way that it became clear that a banker is bankers enemy. Now I will behave with all banker like a slave. And tell them your cost is less then a central govt Peon..

All union leaders you all are really
talented person you know how to use mbers money on yourselves.

Regards

A cheated banker

Unknown said...

The persons raising questions should first comment with their names and they should know that even during xth bipartite settlement INBEF was the only union who gave dissent note against discrimination in one more pension option. Even now it is because of INBEF all these undemocratic functioning of UFBU has come to limelight. It is shameful on the part of bankers who instead of questioning the majority unions who drag minority unions are questioning minority unions. When in the meeting everyone was there virtually barring these three then why those unions are not questioned who remained silent. Moreover what about AIBOC whose GS that he will not sign the agreement unless pension upgradtion and family pension revision takes place. Bark on them instead of shouting at INBEF who has exposed these leaders.

Unknown said...

Da from 0.10 to .7 is nothing but depriving bankers of DA in futuredue to reduction.All bank employee have been fooled by chv and bandish we feel as rightly pointed out by shree subhash sawantji who is only member in ufbu fighting for bank employees cause

Unknown said...

Sometimes in life one has to do many things unwillingly. Subhashi is not a child nor he was forced but at this srnsisitive juncture had he opposed it would have been portrayed as he is not willing settlement to be signed. As it is there is huge outrage amongst the bankers for the delay of almost 3 years. One cannot sit on the shore and measure the depth of the sea. At the given point of time what was crucial had been done.

Unknown said...

It is shameful on the part of persons who are commenting without disclosing their identity. Moreover how you are questioning INBEF, instead why not question majority unions who have surrendered Bank Employees and Officers rights. INBEF even during X bipartite settlement had dared and given dissent note when discrimination was made while giving second pension option and now also it is because of INBEF the undemocratic functioning of UFBU has come to limelight. AIBOC GS was telling he won't be signing the agreement unless Pensioners issues are settled. Instead of barking on INBEF question the majority unions who have back stabbed in all the earlier three settlements. No guts to question their leaders. Shame Shame.

Ashok Rane said...

Do not be a fool. If u have any sense and shame u should very well understand that the MOU is not a final agreement. Any knowledgeable member will raise issue before signing of final agreement. Go to the history of previous agreements which have been contested by knowledgeable members in courts as they were not in favor of employees. People got arrears in lakhs due to difference in DA agreed by foolish leaders of majority union. People will get arrears of Pension and Gratuity for the introduction of Special Pay, which has been challenged in courts and will be decided favourably in favor of Banksrs.

Unknown said...

Why should there be any question of loading, for LIC there is no question of loading on basic pay, they have got full 15% increase in pay in last settlement

Unknown said...

Whoever you are I request you to refrain from using unparliamentary language on this public platform. It is just not right to judge everyone on the same scale. Negotiating with Gov though may seem easy but is not at all a cake walk. Sawant Saheb has dedicated his entire life for the betterment of the Bank Staff and at this juncture of his life he doesn't need any ones sympathy. Everyone in the industry is well aware about him and his credentials.

Unknown said...

Rightly pointed out by INBEF leader. It is hightime those folks have been posing to the outside with a sober & do good mask whereas ijn reality they are nothing but wolf in a sheep's clothing.
How many years these AIBOC /AIBEA leaders want to back stab the gullible Bankers. There has been no transparency at all.

May GOD bless all those who prefer to come out of their slumber and voice out vehemently before it is too late. It is a known maxim that " Justice delayed is Justice denied".

Hence let us all join together to seek answers for the blunders

Unknown said...

Have guts to question majority unions who have surrendered bank employees and officers rights. INBEF at least has boldly exposed the undemocratic functioning of UFBU as it had done in the past also by giving dissent note on discrimination against pension optees during x bipartite settlement. So go and bark in front of Majority unions.

Unknown said...

First have guts to display your name.

Ashok Rane said...

If u have guts publish all comments which r posted against your viws. Else pack up your chamachagiri.

S George Timothy said...

I earnestly request each of you to calmly analyse the sequence of events leading to the signing of the MOU to understand What Subhash Sawant is trying to make us understand. Being one of the signatory of the earlier settlement, i have seen the dirty games being played by the so called big brothers who brow beat minority unions to fall in line. Analyse without becoming emotional, you will know the game plan.

Unknown said...

Every time now and then only our beloved leader Shri Subhasji is fighting for each and every cause. Due to his efforts we could get succeed for second pension option in last 10th BPS. Every one was asking for this right issue and our leader get succeed. How much members from rival union comes under the banner of INBEF/INBOC/INTUC by resigning their present organization. They have no daring to resign their present organization and join our folder. Only they want issue to be resolved. Our other office bearers shall also think about it. How we can motivate others to join our organization. Latest, also how many letters are thrown by our AICBEC/RCBOC/INBEF to various authorities by our leaders in pandemic period. What about others? Everyone thinks that Bhagatsingh should born in neighbors house not at our house and fight for the right cause of neighbors. This is the fact. Why, there shall be a criticism to our General Secretary, INBEF who issued the circular by highlighting the facts. INBEF, Who exposed integrity of majority Union leaders of UFBU the undemocratic functioning of UFBU ( It was done in Xth B. P. settlement by giving dissent note on discrimination against pension optees) while signing the MOU by not taking minority unions in confidence and shake hand with IBA. Why there is hue and cry on this circular. All are requested to expose these so called leaders.

Unknown said...

Every time now and then only our beloved leader Shri Subhasji is fighting for each and every cause. Due to his efforts we could get succeed for second pension option in last 10th BPS. Every one was asking for this right issue and our leader get succeed. How much members from rival union comes under the banner of INBEF/INBOC/INTUC by resigning their present organization. They have no daring to resign their present organization and join our folder. Only they want issue to be resolved. Our other office bearers shall also think about it. How we can motivate others to join our organization. Latest, also how many letters are thrown by our AICBEC/RCBOC/INBEF to various authorities by our leaders in pandemic period. What about others? Everyone thinks that Bhagatsingh should born in neighbors house not at our house and fight for the right cause of neighbors. This is the fact. Why, there shall be a criticism to our General Secretary, INBEF who issued the circular by highlighting the facts. INBEF, Who exposed integrity of majority Union leaders of UFBU the undemocratic functioning of UFBU ( It was done in Xth B. P. settlement by giving dissent note on discrimination against pension optees) while signing the MOU by not taking minority unions in confidence and shake hand with IBA. Why there is hue and cry on this circular. All are requested to expose these so called leaders.

Unknown said...

Every time now and then only our beloved leader Shri Subhasji is fighting for each and every cause. Due to his efforts we could get succeed for second pension option in last 10th BPS. Every one was asking for this right issue and our leader get succeed. How much members from rival union comes under the banner of INBEF/INBOC/INTUC by resigning their present organization. They have no daring to resign their present organization and join our folder. Only they want issue to be resolved. Our other office bearers shall also think about it. How we can motivate others to join our organization. Latest, also how many letters are thrown by our AICBEC/RCBOC/INBEF to various authorities by our leaders in pandemic period. What about others? Everyone thinks that Bhagatsingh should born in neighbors house not at our house and fight for the right cause of neighbors. This is the fact. Why, there shall be a criticism to our General Secretary, INBEF who issued the circular by highlighting the facts. INBEF, Who exposed integrity of majority Union leaders of UFBU the undemocratic functioning of UFBU ( It was done in Xth B. P. settlement by giving dissent note on discrimination against pension optees) while signing the MOU by not taking minority unions in confidence and shake hand with IBA. Why there is hue and cry on this circular. All are requested to expose these so called leaders.

Unknown said...

It is surprising to note that CHV is Congratulating Convener by claiming MOU as a great achievement where there is no respectable wage increase, no 5 days week, no pension revision or upgradtion, no merger of Special Pay and the list goes on and these shameless majority union leaders are patting each other's back as if they achieved all those demands which were published and announced in public meetings.

david said...

As an ex-banker who worked through the period between the 1st BPS in 1966 and 9th BPS 2010,now a pensioner, its a let down for all pensioners that hoped for a revision and to serving employees who hoped for a reasonable settlement.Through the years I have seen how leaders claiming majority and sovereign rights to represent employees on all service n working conditions have fittered,lowered the once envious status held by bankers among PSU / government staff. Over the years,inept leaders of this majority organisation(s) with poor acumen, weak negotiating skills as leaders in the UFBU without regard to the other constituents have dented the bargaining capabilities in the last 2-3 BPS ; even so in this 11 th BPS MOU with regard to monetary benefits...a big, big let down for all bank Employees.
I couldn't agree more with Sri Subhas Sawant, Gen. Secretary,INBEF, who has clearly articulated in detail the unethical, undemocratic and unexpected U turn taken by the so called tall leaders without taking views of all constituents of UFBU,arriving at a consensus,before going on to ink the MOU of 22nd July 2020.Surely, much more could have been secured for the employees if only these leaders had taken along the constituents views before the inking of the settlement.




Unknown said...

The so called chairman and chv should be removed as again they have back stabbed bankers they had agreed with ibs in last settlement for merger of special pay same has not atall discussed.one more axe on bankers with regards Da which percentage has been reduced from 0.10 to 0.07. A day will come when bankers will not get Da. We appreciate efforts taken by shree subhash sawantji whom immediately brought to notice of all bankers after signing of settlement. Sir we all bankets are with u in this fight irrespective of cadre even nothing is done for pension updation in such running cost of living

david said...

As an Ex-banker who has worked through the period of 1st BPS and all of 9th BPS, now a pensioner, this 11th BPS MOU has not only been a big disappointment to Pensioners hoping for a small rise in pension but also a huge let down for working employees.Through the years,leaders representing the majority claiming sovereign rights to represent and decide on behalf of employees the working conditions in Banks have gradually and steadily lowered the envious status Bank Employees once held, due to inept leadership, poor acumen and with weak negotiating skills, even as they've claimed superior status within UFBU has dented the bargaining capabilities of these self serving leader(s) which has been clearly witnessed in the last 2-3 BPS's. Yet again in the 11th BPS MOU of 22nd....a big, big let down for all Bank employees.
I could not agree more with Sri subhas Sawant, Gen Secretary, INBEF, who has articulated in detail the unethical,undemocratic and unexpected manner of a total U turn taken by the leader(s)representing the UFBU without taking the views of all constituents or of arriving at a consensus approach while proceeding to the final stages of inking the MOU.Surely, much more could have been secured for the Employees if only the Leadership had taken the views and suggestions of all constituents rather than going it alone that was cleverly capitalised instantly by the Management.

Unknown said...

Its writely pointed by iur beloved leader shri subash sawantji lot of back stabbing has been done to bankers by the so called leaders of majoeity union l feel followers are following blindly and thus advantage has been taken by chairman anf chv in their vested intrest whatsoever. They hsve not merged special pay as agreed by them with iba in previous settlement. They have changed Da formula from0.10 to 0
07 which will effect Da rise and in next settlement bankers will be deprived of Da slowly oneday. Even nothing has been done for pensioners. We thank shri subhash sawant for his efforts and bringing to all bankers notice the mischief played by so called majority union leaders at cost of all bankers. We request shri sawant sir to goahead with mission of helping bankers we all fully agree and support him

Arun said...

It's always MR Subhash Sawant g who protects for the sake otherwise all unions never show what's going on and if u want to see how much efforts he had made and still doing for bankers join the INBEF you will get each and every detail as Subhash Sawant g believe in transperancy which is not in other unions

Anonymous said...

UFBU leaders are simply GOOD FOR NOTHING.
The leader of one minority union is seeding crocodile tears now and issuing circular stating he signed the MOU inspite of having so much reservation and this sort of things is happening since last 3 BPS, please answer- what you have learned from your past mistakes? Why you are still part of UFBU then? And most importantly, why you are continuing leading your Union? You should introspect.
The leaders of majority unions who are playing this dirty game with aspersions of lakhs of common Bank staffs: All will find a place in HELL for betrayal and killing dreams of Common Bank employees.
IBA & MDs of Banks doing this hard negotiations and constantly downgrading the life of Bankers: They are simply hopeless because they are not outsiders. They grow from scale 1 officers to MDs and must have felt the pain of each BPS for 20/25 years. How can a person forgot past humiliation? Only 1 good posting, 1 good placement after retirement. Each of you are part of history. Yours signature will be there and remind every banker the bad you have done for the Banking fraternity. Bankers are there own enemies.

Mukut Bihari Mittal said...

Sawant sir always tell from long period, today express their experience in public and every one should be try to understand, he always doing better for bank staff.
God gives him healthy life.

Rajan said...

It is injustice to Shri.Subhashji Sawant,Gen Sec.INBEF blaming him for signing MOU alongwith CHV/Bandish by the unknown person. Everybody in banking circle knows Mr.Sawant's dedication for banking employees' betterment,second option for pension. Without knowing the facts and intention for criticising UFBU leaders. Mr Sawant signed the MOU,if not, the wrong message would have circulated that he is creating hurdle in the settlement. He is the only leader who always faught CHV whenever he signs the agreement harmful to the employees . It is regretted that such a leader is criticised without any reason behind