THE CANARA BANK OFFICERS'

 ASSOCIATION (REGD)  

(Affiliated to AIBOC)

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 Circular: GSCO/03/2009                                                         May 12, 2009

To:

All Members:

Dear Friends,

ALL INDIA BANK STRIKE– 12^th June 2009

As we exasperatingly watch the progress in settlement of our long pending demands, the dilly dallying tactics of the IBA and the Government and their stooping to triviality have agitated the rank and file. The membership should be in readiness to launch a long term agitation as the response from the IBA and the Management smacks of insincerity and lack of direction.

On 11^th May 2009 there was another round of talks between UFBU and IBA. During the discussions, IBA improved their offer to Rs.4125 crores i.e., an increase of 15 % over the wage bill as of 31.3. 2007. From UFBU, it was made clear to IBA that taking into account all the factors and circumstances that warrant a substantial wage increase for the bank employees and officers, the offer of IBA was not adequate as it falls short of our expectations. Hence UFBU rejected the offer of IBA.

As regards Compassionate Appointments / Ex. Gratia payment scheme, members are aware that at the instance of the government, a mutually accepted scheme had been finalised by IBA and UFBU and sent to Government for formal clearance. We are given to understand that the Government is not inclined to extend this revised scheme retrospectively i.e., from July 2004. It is unfortunate that a scheme finalised by collective bargaining is sought to be denied to a few cases in the intervening period.  

Although our demand for another option for Pension seems to have been accepted in principle, it comes with a rider of a ‘new pension scheme’ for future recruits as a pre-condition. UFBU has rightly rejected this unfair condition of IBA.

In the matter of outsourcing, IBA wants UFBU to give total freedom to management to outsource banking jobs and services and UFBU could not agree to the same.

Because of this unhelpful approach of the IBA, our efforts to amicably settle our demands have been frustrating. UFBU met immediately thereafter and decided to launch agitational programmes:

DEMANDING

i)                   Expedite Wage Settlement with adequate increase in wages of employees and officers.

ii)                  Extend another option for pension scheme without any pre – conditions.

iii)                Do not impose anti – employee conditions in the negotiations.

iv)             Implement Compassionate Appointment / Ex-Gratia Scheme as per agreed understandings.

a)  Dharna by UFBU units in all State Capitals and major towns on 04.06.2009

b)  Centralized Mass Rally / demonstration in all centers on 11.06.2009.

c)   ALL INDIA STRIKE  12^th JUNE 2009

If necessary, the action programme will be intensified by 2 days Strike in July 2009 and further intensification thereafter. All our units are advised to gear up their machinery, by involving all the members and make the action programme a grand success.

With Fighting Greetings,

                                                                        Yours Sincerely,

                                                                                      (S K KOHLI)

                                                                          GENERAL SECRETARY