CIRCULAR NO.
2013/1 31-1-2013
TO ALL CONSTITUENT
UNIONS / MEMBERS
Dear Comrades,
Join the Nationwide General strike
on 20th and 21stFebruary, 2013
on 20th and 21stFebruary, 2013
UFBU’s clarion call.
A
meeting of the UFBU was heldtoday in Mumbai in AIBEA’s office.Com. D.S.
Rishabhadas(General Secretary, AIBOOC )
presided over meeting.
1)
Charterof
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 iscollecting the data from all the banks relating tonumbers 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mergers from Competition Commission and also the clause on allowing Banks to do Forward Contract business had to be withdrawn by the Government and thus the Government could not do all that it wanted to do.
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mergers from Competition Commission and also the clause on allowing Banks to do Forward Contract business had to be withdrawn by the Government and thus the Government could not do all that it wanted to do.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 AISBIOF.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 join 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 grantlicenses
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 contractagencies which wouldjeopardisethe
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 unitedstruggles 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 TradeUnions
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:
·
In support
of the 10 pointCharter of Demands of Central Trade Unions.
·
Control alarming
price rise
·
Stop
anti-worker Labour Reforms - Hands off trade union rights
·
Stop
Banking Reforms
·
Stop
Outsourcing
·
Early wage
revision
·
Settle
pending issues like compassionate appointment scheme
Detailed Circular
will be issued in this regard giving preparatory programmes like
demonstrations, rallies, etc.
With
greetings,
Yours
Comradely,
(P.K.SARKAR)
CONVENOR