Text of UFBU Circular No.5 dt. 31st January, 2007
AGITATION IN CENTRAL BANK OF INDIA
AGITATION IN CENTRAL BANK OF INDIA
1. A meeting of the UFBU was held at AIBEA office premises, Mumbai at 11.00 a.m. on 30.01.07 to take stock of the situation arising out of agitation in Central Bank of India and any other urgent matter.
2. Com. P.K. Patnaik, Convenor proposed the name of Com. Bapu Joshi to preside and Com. C.H. Venkatachalam seconded the proposal. Com. Bapu Joshi took the Chair and called the meeting to order. He then invited the representatives of Unions in Central Bank to speak on the prevailing Industrial Relations climate at Central Bank of India.
3. Com. C.H. Venkatachalm, Com. R.C. Agarwal, Com. S.S. Sawant and Com. S. Nagarajan, representatives of United Forum of Central Bank Unions briefed the members on the IR problems in Central Bank of India, as under
(a) From the month of April 2006, there have been agitations and strike action in the Bank against unilateral actions of the Management.
(b) The Management, instead of inviting Unions for discussion resorted to issuing provocative circulars justifying their unilateral actions, using objectionable and abusive language against the Unions / Associations and the leaders.
(c) The CMD of the Bank is fully engaged in organizing staff meetings at various centers, even during peak business hours and making unwarranted remarks on the leaders. Explanations were called from those who did not attend the meeting for various reasons. The CMD has even gone to the extent of issuing warning of physical assault on leadership. Our organisational maturity prohibits us from repeating or reproducing the unparliamentary language used by the Chairperson against the Unions / Associations and their leadership. To put it in a nutshell, it is highly unbecoming on the part of CMD of a Public Sector Bank.
(d) The transfer policy for officers was changed unilaterally withdrawing certain immunity granted to office-bearers as per bilateral agreements. The promotion policy also changed unilaterally.
(e) Imposing unreasonable restrictions in holding meetings in office premises after office hours by Unions / Associations.
(f) The Management forcing Unions to vacate the office premises allotted to them.
(g) Victimisation of leaders by suspensions for legitimate trade union activity.
(h) Withdrawal of special leave facility granted to Union / Association leaders as per understandings at industry level.
(i) Withholding of annual increments and linking their sanction to submission of Performance Appraisal and Statement of Assets & Liabilities.
(j) Withdrawal of concessions granted to Co-op. Credit Societies etc.
4. In addition, the Bank has filed cases in 600 courts throughout the country to obtain injunctions against demonstrations by Unions, before the office premises. The CMD has issued notices to 40,000 employees NOT to join strike on 22nd January ’07. The Bank has dubious distinction of having issued 7500 show-cause notices / charge-sheets to employees / officers for participating in strike action on 22.01.2007. Further the Bank has proposed reduction of 3 increments in case of officers under minor penalty proceedings and 2 increments in case of workmen, if satisfactory explanation for show-cause notice / charge sheet for participation in strike is not submitted within 7 days.
5. After detailed discussions, the following supporting action has been finalized
(a) The leaders of UFBU to meet Labour Minister, Finance Minister and Prime Minister to apprise the situation in Central Bank of India and urging them to save the Bank by restoring healthy industrial relations.
(b) Submission of Memorandum to Government and RBI, seeking their intervention in public interest
(c) To extend fraternal support to demonstrations to be held on 5th, 12th & 19th February ’07 and Dharna action on 7th & 18th February ’07 before Regional Offices, Zonal Offices, and Central Office of Central Bank of India.
(d) The Unions in Central Bank of India will proceed on indefinite strike from 22nd February ’07. The constituents of UFBU to observe supportive strike on 23rd February ’07, throughout the country.
6. Thereafter, discussions continued on issues connected with the strike on 27th October ’06 viz., 2nd Option on pension, compassionate appointment, attack on trade union rights etc. It was decided to re-convene UFBU meeting on 11th February ’07 at Mumbai to discuss and decide the future course of action on the pending issues.
7. Comrades, the situation in Central Bank of India is a warning signal to all trade unions in Banking Industry. We see a “hidden hand” behind the evil designs. The highhandedness of CMD nd management has to be challenged with all conviction and full force. It is a question of survival of trade unions in the banking industry. This is a contagious disease, and if not resisted, it will spread to other Banks also. Let us therefore, resolve to fight to retain hard earned trade union rights.
With greetings,
2. Com. P.K. Patnaik, Convenor proposed the name of Com. Bapu Joshi to preside and Com. C.H. Venkatachalam seconded the proposal. Com. Bapu Joshi took the Chair and called the meeting to order. He then invited the representatives of Unions in Central Bank to speak on the prevailing Industrial Relations climate at Central Bank of India.
3. Com. C.H. Venkatachalm, Com. R.C. Agarwal, Com. S.S. Sawant and Com. S. Nagarajan, representatives of United Forum of Central Bank Unions briefed the members on the IR problems in Central Bank of India, as under
(a) From the month of April 2006, there have been agitations and strike action in the Bank against unilateral actions of the Management.
(b) The Management, instead of inviting Unions for discussion resorted to issuing provocative circulars justifying their unilateral actions, using objectionable and abusive language against the Unions / Associations and the leaders.
(c) The CMD of the Bank is fully engaged in organizing staff meetings at various centers, even during peak business hours and making unwarranted remarks on the leaders. Explanations were called from those who did not attend the meeting for various reasons. The CMD has even gone to the extent of issuing warning of physical assault on leadership. Our organisational maturity prohibits us from repeating or reproducing the unparliamentary language used by the Chairperson against the Unions / Associations and their leadership. To put it in a nutshell, it is highly unbecoming on the part of CMD of a Public Sector Bank.
(d) The transfer policy for officers was changed unilaterally withdrawing certain immunity granted to office-bearers as per bilateral agreements. The promotion policy also changed unilaterally.
(e) Imposing unreasonable restrictions in holding meetings in office premises after office hours by Unions / Associations.
(f) The Management forcing Unions to vacate the office premises allotted to them.
(g) Victimisation of leaders by suspensions for legitimate trade union activity.
(h) Withdrawal of special leave facility granted to Union / Association leaders as per understandings at industry level.
(i) Withholding of annual increments and linking their sanction to submission of Performance Appraisal and Statement of Assets & Liabilities.
(j) Withdrawal of concessions granted to Co-op. Credit Societies etc.
4. In addition, the Bank has filed cases in 600 courts throughout the country to obtain injunctions against demonstrations by Unions, before the office premises. The CMD has issued notices to 40,000 employees NOT to join strike on 22nd January ’07. The Bank has dubious distinction of having issued 7500 show-cause notices / charge-sheets to employees / officers for participating in strike action on 22.01.2007. Further the Bank has proposed reduction of 3 increments in case of officers under minor penalty proceedings and 2 increments in case of workmen, if satisfactory explanation for show-cause notice / charge sheet for participation in strike is not submitted within 7 days.
5. After detailed discussions, the following supporting action has been finalized
(a) The leaders of UFBU to meet Labour Minister, Finance Minister and Prime Minister to apprise the situation in Central Bank of India and urging them to save the Bank by restoring healthy industrial relations.
(b) Submission of Memorandum to Government and RBI, seeking their intervention in public interest
(c) To extend fraternal support to demonstrations to be held on 5th, 12th & 19th February ’07 and Dharna action on 7th & 18th February ’07 before Regional Offices, Zonal Offices, and Central Office of Central Bank of India.
(d) The Unions in Central Bank of India will proceed on indefinite strike from 22nd February ’07. The constituents of UFBU to observe supportive strike on 23rd February ’07, throughout the country.
6. Thereafter, discussions continued on issues connected with the strike on 27th October ’06 viz., 2nd Option on pension, compassionate appointment, attack on trade union rights etc. It was decided to re-convene UFBU meeting on 11th February ’07 at Mumbai to discuss and decide the future course of action on the pending issues.
7. Comrades, the situation in Central Bank of India is a warning signal to all trade unions in Banking Industry. We see a “hidden hand” behind the evil designs. The highhandedness of CMD nd management has to be challenged with all conviction and full force. It is a question of survival of trade unions in the banking industry. This is a contagious disease, and if not resisted, it will spread to other Banks also. Let us therefore, resolve to fight to retain hard earned trade union rights.
With greetings,
Sd/-
(PROFULLO KUMAR PATNAIK)
CONVENOR