Friday, February 20, 2015

AIBEA Press Release on today's CLC meeting in Newdelhi...

AIBEA PRESS RELEASE   -  20-02-2015 :

BY C.H. VENKATACHALAM, GENERAL SECRETARY
ALL INDIA BANK EMPLOYEES’ ASSOCIATION

·         ALL INDIA BANK STRIKE – 4 DAYS FROM 25TH TO 28TH FEB. 2015
·         CONCILIATION MEETING HELD IN DELHI TODAY
·         IBA COULD NOT IMRPOVE THEIR OFFER BUT FURTHER BIPARTITE MEETING TO CONTINUE ON 23RD FEB AT MUMBAI
·         HENCE STRIKE CALL STANDS AND WILL DEPEND ON OUTCOME OF TALKS ON MONDAY
In response to the strike call issued by the unions, the Chief Labour Commissioner Shri P P Mitra held a conciliation today in his office in Delhi.  Mr M V Tanksale, Chief Executive of Indian Banks’ Association, (IBA) and Mr K Unnikrishnan, Dy. Chief Executive IBA participated in the meeting.  From the Unions, on behalf of United Forum of Bank Unions, Convener M V Murali, C H Venkatachalan, General Secretary, AIBEA and other leaders participated.   From the Finance Ministry Mr Gulab Singh, Dy. Secretary participated.

During the conciliation meeting, the IBA requested the Unions to defer the strike call so that further negotiations can continue.  Unions pointed out that when earlier strike call was deferred there was no positive response from IBA and unless IBA can come out with further positive improvement in their offer, it is not possible to defer the strike.

After discussions, the CLC advised that one more round of direct bipartite talks be held to find out an amicable solution and it is advisable to avoid strike in the banking sector in the interest of the economy.

Accordingly, IBA has fixed further direct bipartite negotiations between IBA and UFBU at 11-30 AM at Mumbai on 23rd Feb. Monday.  Unions have agreed to participate in the talks.

So far IBA has offered an increase of 13% i.e Rs. 4095 crores.  Unioins want the IBA to substantially improve their offer.  Unions have also offered to further negotiate on their present demand of 19.5% to find out an acceptable solution.

We hope that the Government of India would intervene and help in arriving at an amicable understanding on the demands.  If no tangible and positive outcome would be there in the negotiations on 23rd, Unions would be constrained to implement their 4 days strike from 25th Feb.

C.H.VENKATACHALAM         
GENERAL SECRETARY