From Narasimhan Sivakumar
"Once again the rumour mills have started grinding stories regarding pension updation,improvement in family pension,5 day week,lower premium of mediclaim for retirees and a lot of other issues.Every pensioner /staff would be happy to have these above demands fulfilled.But recently only IBA,has started to negotiate the bipartite with the required seriousness.It took more than 2 years for IBA,to reach 15% wage increase from a mere 2% preliminary offer.Only now, IBA is approaching the bipartite in a goal oriented and in a sensible manner.As CLC meeting has been slated on 14th February, only after the CLC meeting the negotiations would move forward.But the coming meetings are very crucial for both IBA and UFBU,for the reason that 3 days strike has been called from 11th March 2020 to 13th March 2020 ,swallowing the 2nd Saturday and Sunday also(14th and 15th March 2020),making it a,marathon 5 day "stand still".We all hope that IBA will not go that far to drive the bankmen to "down the shutters" for 5 days.IBA knows very well that areas like ATM , clearing,RTGS,FX,and various other major functions would collapse massively on a 5 day strike.There is a good probability that IBA may consider pension updation favourably,but no one can speculate what type of pension increase ,does IBA has in its mind.Definitely during the course of the coming bipartite talks,the official "pension updation cost" data would be out and then negotiations would move forward.Already finance ministry would have advised IBA as to how to proceed ahead with various issues ,right from 5 day week,merger of special allowance with basic pay,pension updation and family pension issues etc.The finance ministry is very well aware of the fact that the govt.alone is answerable to the parliament and to the larger public ,if the banks are closed for 5 days.The govt.cannot point out the finger at IBA.Finance ministry will take into consideration the reasonableness of the pension updation demand and also would weigh the additional cost, the banks would have to shell out ,in the event of the demands being conceded.IBA would share its real position on various issues confidentially with the govt.
With respect to 5 day week,the govt.may not accede to the demand of UFBU.Banking is seen as an essential service.In most of the rural pockets, people want the banks to function on Saturdays also.BSNL is at present working through a 6 day week schedule,with weekly off on 2nd Saturdays.When IBA/govt.expects banks to work on Saturdays also,why should not they consider 20% pay increase, merger of special.allowance with basic pay etc?
Another thing-All the constituents of UFBU are also under the severe pressure from both the staff and pensioners for the resolution of their respective demands.One thing,we have to be frank.The staff and especially the pensioners have leveraged the power of social media to the best of their capabilities.This is a fact which nobody would refute.Achieving pension updation is one thing.But,we are all astonished by the great concern exhibited by our dear elderly pensioners.Their knowledge,impartiality,transparency and understanding about the service conditions of the bank employees are highly commendable.Going through various posts of different face book groups initiated by bank staff/pensioners is like going to an university library to enrich one's knowledge.The experience of reading face book posts of our bankmen expands our horizon.If this 11th bipartite settlement fetches very many benefits like higher pay,pension updation,Spl.pay merger etc,the credit for achieving this herculean task should go to the common bank employees ,who are backed by our pensioners who have the required foresight and experience."
"Once again the rumour mills have started grinding stories regarding pension updation,improvement in family pension,5 day week,lower premium of mediclaim for retirees and a lot of other issues.Every pensioner /staff would be happy to have these above demands fulfilled.But recently only IBA,has started to negotiate the bipartite with the required seriousness.It took more than 2 years for IBA,to reach 15% wage increase from a mere 2% preliminary offer.Only now, IBA is approaching the bipartite in a goal oriented and in a sensible manner.As CLC meeting has been slated on 14th February, only after the CLC meeting the negotiations would move forward.But the coming meetings are very crucial for both IBA and UFBU,for the reason that 3 days strike has been called from 11th March 2020 to 13th March 2020 ,swallowing the 2nd Saturday and Sunday also(14th and 15th March 2020),making it a,marathon 5 day "stand still".We all hope that IBA will not go that far to drive the bankmen to "down the shutters" for 5 days.IBA knows very well that areas like ATM , clearing,RTGS,FX,and various other major functions would collapse massively on a 5 day strike.There is a good probability that IBA may consider pension updation favourably,but no one can speculate what type of pension increase ,does IBA has in its mind.Definitely during the course of the coming bipartite talks,the official "pension updation cost" data would be out and then negotiations would move forward.Already finance ministry would have advised IBA as to how to proceed ahead with various issues ,right from 5 day week,merger of special allowance with basic pay,pension updation and family pension issues etc.The finance ministry is very well aware of the fact that the govt.alone is answerable to the parliament and to the larger public ,if the banks are closed for 5 days.The govt.cannot point out the finger at IBA.Finance ministry will take into consideration the reasonableness of the pension updation demand and also would weigh the additional cost, the banks would have to shell out ,in the event of the demands being conceded.IBA would share its real position on various issues confidentially with the govt.
With respect to 5 day week,the govt.may not accede to the demand of UFBU.Banking is seen as an essential service.In most of the rural pockets, people want the banks to function on Saturdays also.BSNL is at present working through a 6 day week schedule,with weekly off on 2nd Saturdays.When IBA/govt.expects banks to work on Saturdays also,why should not they consider 20% pay increase, merger of special.allowance with basic pay etc?
Another thing-All the constituents of UFBU are also under the severe pressure from both the staff and pensioners for the resolution of their respective demands.One thing,we have to be frank.The staff and especially the pensioners have leveraged the power of social media to the best of their capabilities.This is a fact which nobody would refute.Achieving pension updation is one thing.But,we are all astonished by the great concern exhibited by our dear elderly pensioners.Their knowledge,impartiality,transparency and understanding about the service conditions of the bank employees are highly commendable.Going through various posts of different face book groups initiated by bank staff/pensioners is like going to an university library to enrich one's knowledge.The experience of reading face book posts of our bankmen expands our horizon.If this 11th bipartite settlement fetches very many benefits like higher pay,pension updation,Spl.pay merger etc,the credit for achieving this herculean task should go to the common bank employees ,who are backed by our pensioners who have the required foresight and experience."
1 comment:
Why not a simple demand is there. Regular increments on Central govt employees pattern. Please all bankers go for this demand. Average banker loose. Minimum 10 increments. In his tenure of service. Then. 15 percent wage hike will work. Every banker. Particularly senior bankers may calculate
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