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:
Ø
Pension related matters i.e. 100% DA on pension
for pre-Nov. 2002 retirees, improvement in family pension, provision for
periodical updation of pension
Ø
Introduction of 5 days banking / 5 days working
Ø
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:
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10.10.2014
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BLACK BADGE WEARING
|
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17.10.2014
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COUNTRY WIDE PROTEST DEMONSTRATIONS
|
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Between 18.10.2014 and 31.10.2014
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ONE DAY DHARNA AT ALL STATE CAPITALS
(Date shall be decided by the State Unit of UFBU)
|
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COUNTRY WIDE ONE DAY PROTEST STRIKE
|
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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.