UFBU MEETING ON 4th JULY 2013

UFBU MEETING ON 4^th JULY 2013

UFBU Meeting was held on 4^th July 2013 in Chennai under the chairmanship of                   Com. Vinil Saxena, President, National Confederation of Bank Employees (NCBE).  The meeting deliberated at length, apart from the issues being confronted by the bank employees and officers, the developments at national level and its likely impact on Banking Industry.

          It was noted with serious concern the delay in wage revision negotiations and the lack of seriousness on the part of Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) in taking up the issues raised by the Unions in the Common Charter of Demands. 

Despite three rounds of discussions held between IBA and the representatives of UFBU on different dates, the progress is sluggish.  The meeting decided to impress upon IBA to have serious and meaningful negotiations on the issues with an intention to have an early conclusion to the wage settlement.

          The UFBU has expressed its equal concern at alarmingly growing NPAs affecting the Bank’s profitability.  It is also felt that the lackadaisical attitude and ill-conceived policies apart from the economic recession, are the main contributors for the growing NPAs for which the Bank employees cannot be held responsible.  The meeting also expressed its concern over the manner in which various concessions are being extended to willful defaulters despite their having capacity to repay the loans.

          The meeting deliberated at length about the New Banks Licensing Policy aimed to favour the corporate and business houses.  The meeting also noted with concern that many of these applicants do not have any background of Banking and Finance.   It was decided to take up the issue once again with the authorities concerned and demanding review and reconsideration of their decision in encouraging Private Sector Banks by the corporate houses.  It was also decided to reach the masses and campaign to bring awareness about the dangers lurked in the form of Private Banks.

          The meeting deplored the moves of the Government for merger of Banks more particularly the merger of Associate Banks with SBI which is widely in circulation and decided to oppose any such move.  The meeting also highly deplored the manner in which the outsourcings of regular and perennial banking jobs are being resorted to unabatedly ignoring the subsisting Settlements / Understandings.

          After elaborate deliberations the UFBU has drawn the following action programme:

§  Delegation of UFBU representatives to the President of India, Finance Minister and Governor of Reserve Bank of India.

§  Meeting the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance and to present our views.

§  To Co-ordinate with Central Trade Unions and elicit their support.

§  To pass a resolution opposing New Banks Licensing Policy and submit the same to Finance Minister, Government of India and Governor of RBI.

§  To observe “ALL INDIA DAY” on 19^th July 2013 by conducting rallies, seminars, processions and campaign meetings in all State Capitals / Other Centres.

Further, expressing its concern, the UFBU adopted a resolution extending fraternal support to the workers of Neyveli Lignite Corporation, who have launched agitation and strike action opposing disinvestment.

          The UFBU also noted with concern the mushrooming growth of ponzy Chit Fund Companies which are cheating the Public, particularly middle class and lower middle class resulting in suicides and passed resolution condemning the failure of the Government in arresting the growth of such unscrupulous Chit Fund Companies.

MEETING WITH RETIREES / PENSIONERS ORGANISATIONS:

          An informal meeting with the representatives of the various Retirees / Pensioners Organisations was held in order to understand their viewpoints on the various issues and demands concerning the retired employees.  After hearing their views, the UFBU assured them that all their concerns will be duly addressed by the UFBU during the wage revision exercise.

ELECTION OF NEW CONVENOR AND CHAIRMAN OF UFBU:

          To have a better cohesiveness and co-ordination, it was decided in the meeting to introduce a position of Chairman of UFBU apart from Convenor and Com. K K Nair, General Secretary of Indian National Bank Officers’ Confederation (INBOC) was unanimously elected as Chairman of UFBU.

          Consequent to retirement on superannuation of Com. P K Sarkar, Convenor, the representatives of UFBU unanimously elected Com. M V Murali, General Secretary, NCBE as the new Convenor of UFBU.

          The meeting ended with passing of resolution appreciating the excellent services rendered by Com. P K Sarkar as Convenor of UFBU.

Sd.. M V Murali

                                                                                                    Convener