Next round of negotiations between UFBU and IBA

[Vvns Varaprasadrao]

Any one of our group friends,

Please let me know the date of next round of negotiations

between UFBU and IBA  during this month.

Varaprasad

Andhra Bank pensioner

  

[mohan p]

Dear Friends,

                          The date of next round of BPS talk is not yet informed by IBA.

                          Meantime, it should be noted that till the new Govt comes into power no meaningful negotiations or concrete decisions will be taken by IBA /MOF.

                          Wait and watch

                          

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[JSOMA SHEKARA]

Clarification On Dearness Allowance

Dearness Allowance Controversy – Part 3

For the sake of some friends who believe and argue what they have brought is gold, not paddy husk, I wish to ask these - 

1. When central government employees could demand and achieve merger of the entire D.A. outstanding as on 31-12-2005 (2642 points) with their Basic Pay for fixing revised Basic Pay with effect from 01-01-2006, why UFBU could not achieve 100% merger of outstanding D.A. at 3028 points, but instead settled for merger of D.A. at 2836 points only, leaving 192 points in the process? 
2. As I have been repeatedly highlighting, it is the Basic Pay that determines the amount of DA, HRA, Leave Encashment, Pension Commutation, Monthly Pension, Family Pension, Gratuity and most importantly future pay scales.  Then, why did UFBU settle for merger of D.A. at a lower AICPI?  Does anyone have convincing answer? 
3. Even for 10th BPS, merger at 4440 points (vis-a-vis 4876 points) has been accepted by UFBU and without any shame or guilt, our UFBU tomtom that it's a great achievement.  In this case too, 436 points have been sacrificed resulting in a loss of Rs.4,000 per head, per month, on an average.
4. Similarly, making IBA to commit for implementing revised pay scales and allowances with effect from 01-11-2012 is considered a huge victory.  What is so special or extra-ordinary in this? It is always that way from the beginning. The revised pay scales will be implemented from the day following the date of expiry of the previous settlement.
5. Some of our friends here have conveniently forgotten or cleverly suppressed the fact that even as per 6th CPC, the aggregate of Basic Pay, Grade Pay and Transport Allowance are way above our present Basic Pay and after 7th CPC, things will only worsen, however much increase is shown in 10th BPS. 
6. Finally, bank staff had residual D.A. of 7.20% (i.e.172 points in AICPI - 48 slabs) as on 01-11-2007, whereas at this point, D.A. of central government employees was at 9.00%.  Now, as on 01-07-2014, D.A. of bank staff is forecast at 97.05% or 97.35%, whereas the D.A. of central government staff is forecast at 107%, thus widening the gap gradually from 1.80% to not less than 9.65%.
7. I remind once again, D.A. for central government employees is paid on the aggregate of Basic Pay, Grade Pay and Transport Allowance.  But, bank staff get their D.A. only on their Basic Pay.   So, both in terms of percentage and in absolute terms, we suffer huge loss.

Now you tell me, who is wiser?

Date: 07-04-2014                                                                                                            pannvalan

Link Of Blog Written a Few Days Ago On Dearness Allowance By Same Writer

[L S RAMAN]

What is said is true and factual.But who is to be blamed?As long as the salary revision is in the hands of two intermediaries and the the agreement between the two is considered sacrosanct and irrevocable , the employees have no recourse even for redressal of grievances.

Comparison of D.A. with Govt employees and Bank employees is relevant and correct on the basis that both are ar government  organizations, and the Principle; of equal work  and equal pay is  established law as per the relevant decisions of the Hon Supreme Court.

Dr.Raman.L.S.

[Daulat Munot]

DEAR COMRADES, THERE IS STRONG REASONING IN THE ABOVE MAIL OF SHRI PANNVALAN.

[JSOMA SHEKARA]

STORY of X BPS SO FAR

10th B.P.S UPDATE

14.03.2014:  Meeting No.10
In today's meeting with IBA, pension related issues and improvements in some of the other service conditions as per our charter of demands have been discussed. No discussion on wage held today.The next round of talks in the middle of April.
**************************************** 
03.03.2014: Meeting No.9
In talks with IBA, 
UFBU raised today 
1.Switchover from NPS to old pension scheme for new entrants,
2. 5days working, 
3. Pension,
4 . Hospitalisation improvement,
5. Housing facility etc. 
along with higher wage increase. 
IBA wanted time.No improvement today. 
Next talks expected after 15th Feb.
******************************************************
06.02.2014: Conciliation Meeting arranged by CLC @ New Delhi 
                  failed to move talks further,as IBA sticks to  10% increase only.
                  UFBU DECIDED TO GO AHEAD WITH STRIKE ON 
                  10&11 OF fEB 2014.
***********************************************************
27.01.2014: Meeting No. 8
UFBU calls for strike on Feb10&11, as IBA increased offer to 10% only.
********************************************************
17.01.2014: Meeting No.7
IBA offered 9.5% increase on "Pay slip cost" and next meeting 
date is fixed on 27.01.2014.
UFBU decided to differ strike programme on Jan.20&21 in vuew od the increased offer.
******************************************************
23.12.2013: Pursuant to the massive success of our strike action on 18th December,2013, a meeting of UFBU was held in Hyderabad on 23.12.2013

It is decided that UFBU shall continue the agitation and announced the following programmes.

**Two days’ All India Bank Strike on 20.01.2014 & 21.01.2014 by
observing strike for 48 hours starting from 6.00 a.m. on 20.01.2014
to 6.00 a.m. on 22.01.2014;

****************************************************************

14.12.2013:  Meeting No:6

Today's talks on wage revision:
IBA  offered only 5% increase.An act of insult, & fuel to fire.
UFBU rejects offer.Strike stands.
March on to 18th strike.

**************************************************

01.12.2013: UFBU informs:
Bank Employees Strike date on Wage revision
changed to 18.12.2013
(Reason: earlier date 19th is a holiday in some states)

*************************************************

22.11.2013: UNDUE DELAY IN WAGE NEGOTIATIONS 

UFBU DECIDES ALL INDIA STRIKE ON 19TH DECEMBER 2013 

****************************************************************

11.10.2013:  Meeting No:5

Issues discussed : Medical Insurance,5 day week, CTC  concept, Compassionate appointment,

D.A. formula based on 2001 index, % Increase in wages etc.,

IBA has not come out with any quantum of wage increase as they have not received mandate.

UFBU rejects CTC concept and new Medical Insurance Scheme initiated by IBA.

UFBU decided to go for agitation programme pressing speedy wage talks. 

************************************************************************ 

12.08.2013:  Meeting No:4

Talks on wage revision:outcome: 

1.wage increase:Date of effect from 01.11.2012

2. Merger of D.A. points with Basic Pay @ 4440

3. Welcome move on Compassionate appointment.

4. Mediclaim Policy proposed by IBA instead of hospitalisation reimbursement. 

**********************************************************************

07.08.2013: 

UFBU met Finance Minister and pressed for speedy conciliation of wage talks and on other issues.

***********************************************************************

07.06.2013:  Meeting No:3

In today's meeting UFBU suggest wage revision talks should be completed in a stipulated time . Increase in wage should be implemented from 01.11.2012. Wge increase offer should exclude pension cost, terminal benefit, hospitalisation cost. D.A at 4876 points (sep 2012) should be merged with Basic pay.

IBA explained their issues like C to C, wage talks upto Scale 3 only etc., It will inform the offer % of increase in the next meeting after consulting Govt., Also IBA offer to merge D.A at point for year 2009.

*************************************************************************************

22.04.2013: Meeting No:2

10 th B.P.S talks:

In today's meeting IBA tabled the statistics about current staff expenditure and also their issues( their demand). Next meeting may be held in the middle of May 2013. In the meantime UFBU will meet and discuss the issues raised.

*************************************************************************

02.03.2013: 

10th BPS talks update:

Meeting scheduled on 04.03.2013 postponed.

Next date will be announced later.

*******************************************************************

22.02.2013:  Meeting No: 1

First meeting on 10^th BPS held today between IBA and UFBU>

It is formal and introductory in nature. Next meeting fixed on 04.03.2013.

*******************************************************************

09.02.2013: 

First meeting of 10^th B.P.S between IBA and UFBU

will be held on 22.02.2013 .

********************************************************************

02.02.2013: 

Charter of demands on wage revision:

The meeting of UFBU TODAY 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 is collecting the data from all the banks relating to numbers 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

********************************************************

01.01.2013: 

Bi-partite talks is getting delayed to start. Why?

Still many banks have not sent their mandate to IBA to negotiate on their behalf with UFBU. Will the Bank managements act fast, so that the talks may begin at the earliest?

****************************************************************

30.10.2012:

 5 Workmen unions and 4 Officers Unions today met IBA and submitted their Common Charter of demands for the 10yh B.P.S.and 7^th Joint note.

*******************************************************************************

19.10.2012: UFBU will meet IBA on 30.10.2012 to submit Common charter of demand of both Officers and Award Staff Employees for 10^th B.P.S.

 **************************************************************************** 

29.09.2012: 5 workmen Unions finalized Common APPROACH and draft Charter of Demands for 10^th B.P.S in their meeting on 27.09.2012 and decided to meet IBA chairman in October 2^nd week and hand over the charter of demands.

*********************************************************************************

  Aug 2012: Charter of demand for 10th B.P.S. by AIBEA,BEFI,NOBW,NUBE

                       RELEASED.

*********************************************************************************

06.07.2012: Common Charter of Demands: The meeting(of UFBU) decided that all 

                    Constituents are to be   ready with their respective Papers for 

                     preparation of the Common Charter 

                    by the end of this month and the same will be finalized for submission

                    before IBA by August 2012.

*********************************************************************************

06.07.2012: Com. P.K. Sarkar , President of AIBOC was elected as convener

                        of UFBU in yesterday's meeting.

                       (in place of Com.Nadaf/C.H. Venkatachalam.)

                       He will be the chief negotiator of 10th bipartite with IBA

*********************************************************************************

13.05.2012: NCBE has finalised its charter of demand in its National Executive Committee

*********************************************************************************

04.05.2012: AIBEA has formed a Sub-Committee to formulate charter of demand 

                   for 10th Bipartite settlement.

*********************************************************************************

06.07.2012: Com. P.K. Sarkar , President of AIBOC was elected as convener

                        of UFBU in yesterday's meeting.

                       (in place of Com.Nadaf/C.H. Venkatachalam.)

                       He will be the chief negotiator of 10th bipartite with IBA

*********************************************************************************

13.05.2012: NCBE has finalised its charter of demand in its National Executive Committee

*********************************************************************************

04.05.2012: AIBEA has formed a Sub-Committee to formulate charter of demand 

                   for 10th Bipartite settlement.

*********************************************************************************

17.04.2012:  BEFI has prepared a draft proposal on 10th Bipartite and has sent to state units

                     for discussion and for further suggestions.

*********************************************************************************

21.03.2012:  UFBU MEETING DECIDED TO HAVE DISCUSSION ON

                  " FORMULATION OF CHARTER OF DEMAND FOR 10th BIPARTITE",

                      SOMETIME IN  APRIL,2012 

                    .....G.D. NADAF /AIBOC ELECTED AS NEW CONVENER OF UFBU.                                                    

[L S RAMAN]

Ten meetings and prolonged discussions have not yielded any tangible results excepting for frustration among the employees and loss of wages for the strike period. this was nothing unexpected and IBA is tactful in delaying the settlement.The UFBU should make it clear that the avoidable delay would have to be compensated by payment of commercial interest on the  amount including arrears as per extant law and practice. Public Sector Banks have to set an example of a good employer and can not resort to unfair labour practices.

Dr Raman.L.S,

[JSOMA SHEKARA]

CAN WE STILL CALL THIS BIPARTITE NEGOTIATIONS?

Bipartite Negotiations is a bipartite contract. There are two parties to contract.

IBA and UFBU. Both must have equal rights to enforce the conditions of contract. It need not be repeated here that parties entering into agreement/negotiations must be competent enough to carry out such negotiations. Since both IBA and UFBU are not individuals and are negotiating on behalf of others, here competence means whether parties have necessary legal mandate from parties on behalf of whom they are carrying out negotiations and scope and objects of such mandate.
***************************************

Here before proceeding further it is pertinent to mention following developments.

RBI Governor Sri Rajan  feels that there are two power centers in Banks. One is Bank Board and the other is CMD. So whatever good decisions taken by Board in the interests of Bank is overruled by CMD. (In other words though Governor  cannot say it explicitly what he means is bank boards are becoming dummies).

So Governor wants post of CMD is to be split into two i.e. of Chairman and Managing Director. However FM has rejected the same for reasons best known to him(or known to all ?).
********************************************

So for genuine BPS to take pace UFBU should submit COD at least 6 months before due date of next BPS and first IBA must go through COD in detail and after consultations with Banks must take take decisive mandate from Banks to carry on negotiations on all demands raised in COD. For meaningful negotiations to take pace and for UFBU to ensure IBA has actually has mandate to negotiate, IBA must share such mandate from Banks with IBA so that UFBU wll be able to know how far IBA can go on certain issues. After this both UFBU and IBA bargain and negotiate and arrive at a settlement which shall be approved by Govt as a formality. This can be called Bipartite Negotiations.

Are our BPS negotiations done strictly as per the meaning of Bipartite negotiations. Definitely not. It is full of inconsistencies and contradictions.

Here we can say IBA is only consulting UFBU and not negotiating.

Pl go through story of X BPS posted separately.

On 01.01.2013 i.e. even after 2 months of submitting COD Banks have not given mandate to IBA. On 02.02.2013 UFBU has learned that most of the Banks have given mandate to IBA for negotiating with Unions on the charter of demands for revision of wages and service conditions. It means Banks have given mandate to IBA to negotiate with Unions on all points of COD i.e. Wage hike and structure, other benefits including improvement in Pension and service conditions.

(However only god knows whether such mandate has any value, force and scope of such mandate.)

So we thought BPS will continue smoothly and will be completed in a year.

However we find only inconsistencies and contradictory.

On 02.02.2013 UFBU also learned that

The meeting further took note that the IBA is collecting the data from all the banks relating to numbers of employees, stage wise details, which would be the basis for making calculations on load, Item wise cost etc.

First meeting held on 22.02.2013 was a formality. Next meeting was scheduled on 04.03.2013. Meeting on 04.03.2013 was cancelled. IBA having called UFBU for bipartite meeting on 04.03.2013 did not deem it fit to inform other party to Bipartite negotiations reasons for such cancellation.

On 22.04.2013 IBA only presented statistics like staff expenditure, cost etc.

Meeting postponed to 07.06.2013. We are yet to see the bargaining power of UFBU.

And on 07.06.2013 UFBU demands that Wage revision should be from 01.11.2012. It is surprising because naturally effect of wage revision from next due date of BPS and it it should not be a issue for negotiation at all.

Further UFBU demanded point of merger of DA at 4876 points.

IBA said it will discuss wage percentage after consulting govt. So what  about mandate given by banks? Here we learn that Banks have no right to decide wage percentage hike.

0n 07.08.2013 as UFBU is in dark about next meeting. So UFBU meets FM and ask for speedy conclusion of BPS. It is not clear why UFBU has not discussed with FM delay in informing % of wage hike which is the main reason for delay in negotiations.

0n 12.08.2013 IBA did not accept merger point demanded by UFBU and instead fixed lower merger point 4440.

Demand for hospital reimbursement rejected and instead Medi claim Policy proposed.

We are yet to see any real bargaining power of UFBU at this stage.

On 11.10.2013

Issues discussed : Medical Insurance,5 day week, CTC  concept, Compassionate appointment,

D.A. formula based on 2001 index, % Increase in wages etc.,

IBA has not come out with any quantum of wage increase as they have not received mandate.

UFBU rejected CTC and mediclaim Policy.

Out come of meeting is Zero

On 14.12.2013 offered only 5% increase.

On 17.01.2014 IBA oferred 9.5%.

On 27.01.14 IBA increase of err to  10% as against the demand of 30% by UFBU.

On 03.03.2014 instead of continuing its talks on Wage revision and DA UFBU brings up some other minor issues 5 day week etc . UFBU aso unexpectedly brings up Pension issues.

IBA has informed UFBU that it has to consult govt on these issues.

Wage hike percentage.

DA

5 day week

Pension Issues

Compassionate appointments.

So all these has to be decided by FM even before the issues are discussed in detail by parties to BPS i.e IBA and UFBU.  Then what about mandate given by banks earlier. Is it a dummy? Is it a formality?Even after 14 months of submitting COD on Pension demands IBA did not deemed it fit to collect details and be ready. Was it waiting for FMs nod? So mandate from banks does not give IBA any power to negotiate?

If advance permission from FM is required on all aspects UFBU better negotiate with officials of MOF rather than IBA.

UFBU has no say on scheduling of meetings. It is also in dark why meeting are suddenly cancelled. It has to request frequently IBA and FM to schedule meetings early. IBA and Banks have no power to take independent decisions. Even on a minor issue like 5 day week demand  IBA rejects proposal  and ask UFBU to submit more details so that it can forward the same to FM. 

Even after 18 months of submitting COD UFBU has failed to clinch even a single demand satisfactorily. Everything now is at mercy of FM. Even after signing settlement UFBU has no powers to ensure it is fairly implemented.

CAN ANY MEMBER SHOW ANY OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF BIPARTITE NEGOTIATION IN THE NEGOTIATIONS CONDUCTED SO FAR?

WHAT WE CALL BARGAINING POWER IS ONLY A PALE SHADOW OF PAST.

I am not blaming UFBU and its capability but only pointing out serious drawbacks in present system of BPS.

Having said this I Invite any of the members with facts to prove me wrong so that I can correct myself.

[bhaskara sarma]

One gets doubt whether it is collective bargaining or begging.In 2000,Officers associations have separately signed the pact and got the wage settlement.But employees refused to accept the offer given by IBA.But after a few monthS,the same settlement was accepted without much advantage.

P B SARMA.

[P.VIJAYARAGHAVAN]

Wait till anything happend

--

[Daulat Munot]

Dear Comrades, We  hundred percent agree with Shri Jsoma Shekhra's views as above.Its burning fact which can not be ignored further more.There is urgent need of either  of major rectification in our present Bi-partite negotiation system or to study on any alternate system which can successfully take care of the futuristic wage hike needs and time to time pension updation alongwith social welfare need of bank pensioners.DUE TO CONTINUOUS UPGRADATION OF TECHNOLOGY IN BANKING SECTOR CALL OF STRIKE WOULD BE NOT AS EFFECTIVE IN NEAR FUTURE AS IT WAS IN PAST, SPECIALLY IN PRESENT MOBILE BANKING EVOLVED RECENTLY.WE SIMPLY WANT THE REFORM IN OUR PRESENT BARGAINING SYSTEM.

[PARASURAMAN K R]

Dear Somsekhara,

I can understand your anger and anxiety in BPS getting delayed. If you know the history of BPS it has taken almost 3 years for any previous settlements to conclude. I too agree that IBA is only a "broker" with no powers. It would have been better if talks were held directly with MOF. But MOF wants the involvement of bank managements in negotiation proceedings and the reins are in their hands. The representative of Bank managements (IBA) consists of chairmen whose wage conditions are not at all affected by BPS. They just convey the wishes of MOF and try to minimize the cost in the name of profit. So the process is cumbersome and will be time consuming. Unfortunately general elections are declared and a new government is expected at the centre. With Chidambaram not contesting the process will be delayed even if UPA forms the government. The new FM has to be briefed fro the start and if the financial positions of banks are worse than previous years due to escalating NPA things would be more difficult.

Some issues such as date of implementation, DA merger quantum are settled and a reasonable agreement on load factor is arrived at. Some discussions have taken place on residual issues like 5 day week, regulated working hours for officers, compassionate recruitment etc etc, Further pension issues have also been discussed. So it is not fair on our part to jump guns and expect the talks to resume during the election time. Let us wait for the election process to conclude and installation of a new government and an FM who understands the problem of bankmen. In a way it is good that Chidu has gone. Let us be patient and hope for the best   

[cpvnair]

UFBU is under heavy pressure from IBA.IBA, in turn seems to be under similar presssure from member banks in the guise of profit erosion on mounting of NPAs.This time, the going-IN MY VIEW- would be extremely tough.

Let us wait and see what UFBU would be able to deliver to the ailing retiree community.

 

 

warm reg

 

 

CPVNAIR

[cpvnair]

This post applies if and only if the DOUBT whether IT is collective bargaining or BEGGING.To be very frank Sirs, it is BEGGING- no doubt.In the present Indian scenario, the concept of collective bargaining APPEARS to have lose steam.The managements are well equipped.The workforce has lost commitment.I remember one beautiful journalist comment a few years back.During Clinton visit, certain parties were in the street to show him black flag.The paper commented-it was a national English daily-that while these people were on the street under the hot Sun, their family members might have been in front of their TVs to see Clinton, who by then has become a hero due to various reasons.This is almost the condition in our society.None is prepared to face challenges.Who will now be prepared to take an indefinite strike in the country?(Leave alone bank employees)The ongoing 'economic reforms' has put everybody in a tight spot.During our service of yesteryears, we had to fight with the leaders like Indira Gandhi and this made us more militant and united.But the entire sheen is lost.

UFBU has to put up brave struggles this time.Let 2000, 2005 and 2010 be NOT repeated.Let us hope for a HOPEFUL settlement for all.

 

 

warm reg

 

 

CPVNAIR

 

From: bankpe...@googlegroups.com [mailto:bankpe...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of bhaskara sarma

Sent: Thursday, April 10, 2014 4:29 PM
To: bankpe...@googlegroups.com

[bhaskara sarma]

I dont agree that there is presuure on IBA OR UFBU.They simply pass on the presure to employees.Otherwise what made them to discriminate pre 2002 pensioners on DA neutralisation.After all it costs hardly 0.5 percent of wage bill.Some drama is going on for more than 30 months and ultimately employees are fed up and accept whatever is given.This is a serial story.

P B SARMA