Circular No.8/VII/2021

GENERAL SECRETARY
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Circular No.6/VII/2021

March 22, 2021

To:

ALL UNITS / STATE COMMITTEES

Comrades,

STRUGGLE TO CONTINUE.
SAVE NATION.
SAVE FINANCIAL SYSTEM OF THE NATION.
HALT THE MOVES OF PRIVATISATION OF PUBLIC SECTOR BANKS.

While congratulating the entire community of the Workforce in our Industry for the successful implementation of the two days strike actions on 15^th and 16^th March 2021, supported by CTUs, Farmers organisations and overwhelming the political parties inside and outside the Parliament, the reiteration of the Hon’ble Finance Minister in a Public Function to go ahead with the implementation of the Budget Decision, the meeting of the constituent unions, held at Kolkata decided unanimously decided to escalate the resistance movement in a planned manner. The circular released is appended :

“Meeting of the UFBU was held at Kolkata today, in the aftermath of our successful strike on 15th and 16th March, 2021 against the decision of the Government to privatise public sector banks and against the retrograde banking reforms.

Congratulations: The meeting conveyed its congratulations and greetings to all the constituent unions and all our members all over the country for making the strike a massive success with unprecedented and enthusiastic participation of the rank and file.  The meeting was appreciative of the determination exhibited by the employees and officers manifesting their unequivocal objection to the decision to privatise public sector banks.

Special kudos to youngsters: The meeting conveyed its special greetings to the younger generation of employees and officers who turned out in large number in the rallies and demonstrations.

Support from Trade Unions :The meeting expressed its thankfulness to all the Central Trade Unions – BMS, INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, TUCC, AICCTU, SEWA, LPF, UTUC and BKS – for extending their support to our struggle.  Similarly, the meeting was thankful to Samyukt Kisan Morcha representing 42 farmers’ organisations for their support to the strike of UFBU.  Many sectoral trade unions of employees and officers extended their support to our strike and the meeting conveyed its thanks to all of them. In the insurance sector, in addition to supporting our strike, the employees and officers of GIC and LIC also observed strike on 17^th and 18^th March against privatisation of insurance sector respectively.

Support from political parties : The meeting was thankful to the various political parties – Congress, DMK, AITC, Shiv Sena, NCP, YSRC, TRS, TDP, AAP,SP, RJD, NCP, CPI, CPI-M, CPI-ML-L, VCK, and others for their support to our struggle.  Many of their MPs also took up the issue in the Parliament on 15^th and 16^thand also addressing letters to the Government to reconsider the decision to privatise the Banks.

Successful Mass Petition and Twitter Campaign: The meeting noted that our online Mass Petition campaign was endorsed by more than one lakh people and our twitter campaign was supported by more than 2,20,000 people including tweets by many political leaders and eminent  public personalities. It was notable that our Hashtag “BANK BACHAO DESH BACHAO” was trending at No.1 and made a mark on that day.

Government’s attitude:  The meeting noted that despite our very successful strike, the Government’s attitude was disappointing.  On the other hand, during the press briefing, Finance Minister reiterated the Government’s stand to privatise the Banks.  The Finance Minister also clarified in a reply to a question in the Parliament that after necessary recommendations are received from NITI Aayog, the matter would be considered by the Alternative Mechanism and after that the Government would take a final decision.

Hence, the meeting came to the conclusion that our campaign and struggle has to be further carried forward and intensified.  However, the meeting noted that so far the Government has not come out with any specific Bill in the current Budget Session of the Parliament to amend the existing Banking Laws to facilitate privatisation of Banks.

Get ready for more campaigns and struggles :In view of this, after discussions, it was felt that we must intensify our campaign amongst the people, particularly the beneficiaries and other sections of the people. To enable and to solicit the support of the people, it was decided to undertake a mass campaign of collection of supportive signatures in the petition to Prime Minister.

It was also decided to undertake further preparatory programmes to involve the employees and officers to go for intermittent strikes, prolonged strikes and also indefinite strike.

Keeping these in view, the following programmes have been decided upon:

1. Collection of 5 crore signatures from the people in the Petition to Prime Minister with a copy to the Hon’ble Speaker during April, May, June, 2021.
2. Organisational meetings at all levels during April, 2021 to ensure total membership contact.
3. Mass Rallies, Dharnas, Seminars, Workshops, etc. in all the States in April, May and June, 2021.( to be decided in respective States according to local convenience)
4. Nationwide Strikes, intermittent strike strikes, prolonged strikes as may be warranted looking to developments. (Dates to be announced later).
5. Strike call at short notice, if Government announces any decision on privatisation of banks

Details of campaign programmes to be undertaken in the next two months will be given in the next circular.

Comrades, as everyone of us will understand and appreciate, we are facing the challenge on account of the Government’s announcement to privatise public sector Banks.  We are opposed to privatisation of Banks and we are convinced that privatisation is not the solution to the problems faced by the Banks. It is imperative that we should prepare ourselves for a prolonged and sustained struggle and also elicit support from the people.  We call upon all our unions and members to prepare accordingly to make our struggle a successful one.

With greetings,”

=UFBU=

Yours comradely,

/S.NAGARAJAN/

GENERAL SECRETARY

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Circular No.5/VII/2021

March 16, 2021

To:

ALL UNITS / STATE COMMITTEES  

Comrades,

WE HAVE DONE IT ONCE AGAIN
SOLIDARITARITY SUPPORT FLOWS
FROM ALL- CTUS, FEDERATIONS IN LIC, GIC.
FARMERS' ORGANISATIONS AND POLITICAL PARTIES.

“ Kudos to all our comrades, colleagues and members of all our unions under UFB for the massive response to the 2 day strike call, which has been a stupendous success.  Because of your unity and militancy, our call for 2 Days’ Strike on 15^th and 16^th instants has become a total success all over the country.  We convey our greetings and congratulations to all our unions and members for making the strike an overwhelming success.

As per reports reaching us from various parts of the country, the strike has been overwhelmingly participated by the employees and officers.  In many centres, other stakeholders like retirees, farmers, SHG members, students, workers joined our agitational programs. Their disapproval of the Government’s decision to privatise the Banks and the enthusiasm to express the same was amply clear and visible in all the demonstrations and rallies. 

Normal banking services were paralysed and affected because of our strike.  Almost all the Branches remained closed and shutters were down.  Clearance of cheques could not be processed.

Percentage of employees and officers who participated in the strike was one of the highest in the recent years.  Notably, younger employees were in the forefront of this struggle. Our strike action has conveyed the clear signal to the Government that all of us are opposed to privatisation of Banks.

We are opposed to privatisation of Banks because it is retrograde, it is not in the interest of the customers, the beneficiaries, the general public and of course the employees and officers of our Banks. Privatisation will only benefit the big corporate companies who will purchase and own our Banks.  Privatisation will affect the common people and the ordinary customers. Privatisation will impact social orientation of our Banks.  Privatisation will also adversely affect the jobs, job security, service conditions, reservation policy, etc.  That is why we are opposed to privatisation of public sector Banks.

The only ill afflicting the Banks today is the burgeoning bad loans.  Everyone knows that bulk of the bad loans is attributable to private sector.  Hence, one does not understand as to how handling over the Banks to the private hands will improve the efficiency of the Banks.

It is also our experience that contributions of public sector banks in the last five to six decades have been remarkable and commendable.  Equally our experience with the private sector banks has been bitter.  Many of them had collapsed at regular intervals due to mismanagement and public sector Banks had to bail them out.

Hence, privatisation is no panacea for the problems and challenges facing the public sector Banks.  Rather privatisation would aggravate the problem.

We are thankful to all the Central Trade Unions who have extended their fraternal support to our struggle.  We are thankful to farmers’ organisations, for their support.  We are also thankful to the various sectoral trade unions who volunteered and extended their support to our strike. 

We are thankful to all the Unions in LIC and GIC, Power Sector, Central Government Officers, NCOA, MTNL, BSNL who not only supported our strike but also organised solidarity demonstrations in many centres.

We are thankful to All India Reserve Bank Employees Association who supported our case.  We are thankful to All India Bank Retirees Federation and other retirees organisations who had expressed their solidarity with our agitation.

we are thankful to all the political parties , Congress, DMK, Shiv Sena, Trinamool Congress, CPI, CPM, AAP, VCK and others for their support.  Their MPs have raised our issue in the Parliament also.  Many MPs addressed letters to the Government extended their support to our struggle and urging upon the Government to reconsider their decision.

Comrades, we are committed to efficient public sector banking and we are always ready to extend our best co-operation to strengthen our Banks.  We hope that Government would engage in meaningful dialogue with us and all other stake-holders before proceeding further. 

If unfortunately, the Government moves further with their agenda, we would be left with no other alternative than to further intensify our struggle. 

However, UFBU will meet shortly to discuss and decide future course of action.

With greetings

=UFBU=

Yours comradely,

/S.NAGARAJAN/

GENERAL SECRETARY

Circular No.3/VII/2021

February 18, 2021

TO

ALL UNITS / STATE COMMITTEES

Comrades,

PROCEEDINGS OF THE 5^TH CENTRAL COMMITTEE AT NAGPUR.

DELIBRATIONS AND CELEBRATIONS – COMMENCEMENT OF 41^st YEAR.

CURTAIN RAISER OF THE 8^th CONFERENCE OF OUR ORGANISATION.

In pursuance of the decision of the office bearers’ meeting held in the last week of November 2020, the 5^th central committee was held at Nagpur (Maharashtra), the orange city of India, after forty years on 13^th and 14^th February 2021. The historic meeting presided by the Joint Presidium consisting of Com. Alok Khare, Vice- Chairman, Com.A.N.Suresh President, Com. Dr Kumar   Arvind, Com.Vinod Bakshi and Com.Arvind Porwal VicePresidents of our organisation and held at the Hotel LEGEND INN as Chairman of the Hotel had climbed Mount Everest in the year 1965.

Circular No.2/VII/2021
February 18, 2021

To:

ALL UNITS / STATE COMMITTEES

Comrades,

PARTICIPATE ENMASSE IN PROGRAMMES

• OPPOSE PRIVATIATION OF PUBLIC SECTOR BANKS
• MARCH ON TO ALL INDIA STRIKE ON 15^TH AND 16^TH MARCH, 2021

We have informed all our unions and members that in the UFBU meeting held at Hyderabad on 9th instant, the call has been given for observing 2 Days Strike on 15^th and 16^th March, 2021 to express our protest and opposition to the proposed move of the Central Government to privatise 2 public sector banks in addition to IDBI Bank.

In continuation, we append the detailed agitational programmes to be undertaken by our unions and members:

 Notice will be served by UFBU on Indian Banks’ Association and all Banks.  Individual unions need not serve any separate strike notice.

Specimen of Badges, posters, petitions, etc. will be sent to unions in due course.

Comrades, all of us should realise that the challenges are serious and hence our struggle has to be massive, militant and determined. We seek the co-operation and involvement of all our unions and members in all the programs listed above to make them successful.  

With revolutionary greetings “                                                                  = UFBU=

 Yours comradely

/S.NAGARAJAN/

GENERAL SECRETARY  

Circular No. 21/VII/2020

December 31, 2020

To:

ALL  UNITS / STATE COMMITTEES

Comrades,

ACKNOWLEDGE THE PAST AND WELCOME THE NEW.

2020 A YEAR OF CALAMITY AND UNEASE

 A CHALLENGING YEAR- 2021.

The year 2020 was a year of unease and also of many calamities. COVID -19, the pandemic is certainly a global event in the year 2020. The impact would not be limited to a year but the ill effect will continue for the next three decades. Governments across the world fought the pandemic through liberty quashing lockdowns.  The pandemic brought home the point of criminal neglect public health policy.  The human cost has been huge. 80 millions have been affected and so far 1.76 millions have died. Neither wealth nor power offered protection. Lockdowns and physical distancing crippled the Global environment. The first phase reflection available is slowing down of the economy of every nation. It is estimated the damage to the Global economy will be to a tune of $28 trillion dollars over five years. Millions will slip back to poverty.

2.         In the global political scene, Mr.Donald trump is the direct victim of the COVID 19.  Conflicts between the two Nations are causing tremendous tensions in Global Peace. Attempt to retain Global Power is the central theme and in turn CHINA, which is forcing a crisis by resorting to unholy alliances with neighbouring Countries resultantly set the level of discomfort to higher degree in deceitful way.

3.         In our country, the lockdown was slammed in the fourth week of March 2020. It can very well be said that the lockdown in our country was one of the harshest lockdowns. Migrants workers in millions walked down thousands of miles to reach back to the native hem let.  The victim of the COVID -19 in our Country was the result of Bihar election. Our Nation is witnessing literally one party rule at the centre, as the opposition is fragmented totally. We may state in the post liberalisation era, the year 2020 was the first recession year. The worst public health crisis since independence and protracted presence of Chinese army in the Line Actual Control are the events engaging our Nation.  In spite of impressive win in the State Elections, the method of pulling down the elected Government through horse trading was witnessed. Amendments in the labour laws, rejecting the suggestions made by the 10 CTUS in this matter and postponing the winter session of the Parliament under the specious plea of COVID 19 impact are glaringly imposed.

4.         The Government at the Centre announced $ 20 trillion stimulus package to revive the economy with unforeseen consequences lurking in the shadows. The effect of mergers announced by Hon’ble Finance Minister on 30^th August 2019 thereby reducing the Public Sector Banks to 12 and further moves afloat to keep hardly 4 banks in Public Sector and rest of them are to be privatised. The recent interview by ministry officials in the matter moves to be effected to change the ownership pattern in IDBI is also intriguing. Pulling down IDBI, a DFI of the past and planning to establish 111 lacs Infra Bank is something an unacceptable idea to digest.  DA freeze imposed on Government Employees and senior citizens for a period of 18 months thereby saving an amount of Rs 38000crores+, elected representatives agreeing voluntarily to take a pay cut of 30%, temporary ban of MP area development allocation by the Centre were the actions to demonstrate to the public that they are concerned with men and matters? The farmers agitation against the farm laws for the past one month has shown the real colour of the Government of their iron fist approach to gag the voice of the farmers. The main issues are unresolved. Corporatisation and Contract farming will lead new type of problems to the farmers community at large.

5.         Forty two months long drawn exercise ultimately yielded results. The lesson learned through this time is to promote more unity within the workforce of the financial system more vigorously and also with a desire to preserve, protect and promote Public Sector Financial Institutions and defeat the designs of the owner, controller and Bank managements to push the banks back pre 1969 stage.

We welcome the New Year 2021 and resolve to uphold

UNITY, STRUGGLE AND PROGRESS SHALL BE THE WATCHWORD TO PROTECT THE JOBS AND ALSO RETAIN THE REPRESENTATIVE CHARACTER OF TRADE UNIONS IN THE BANKING INDUSTRY

Yours comradely,

/S.NAGARAJAN/

GENERAL SECRETARY

Circular No.20/VII/2020

November 26, 2020

To:

ALL UNITS / STATE COMMITTEES

Comrades,

ALL INDIA STRIKE OBSERVED TODAY –

A REMINDER TO THE GOVERNMENT.

26^th November 2020 is certainly go down in the history for the finest congregation of workers of all walks of life in their urge to repulse back against the policies of the Government at the Centre i.e. anti-people, anti-farmer and anti-worker measures to affect the common citizen of our Country. As per preliminary information available 25 crores, people have participated in the strike called by Central Trade Unions along with independent trade unions and Federations.

2.         Prelude this strike today, Coal workers’ observed three days strike, Ordinance factory workers, strike, Railway workers’ demonstrations, BPCL workers, two days strike, demonstrations and Struggle of RTC workers, Scheme workers, ongoing agitations of the Electricity workers and engineers in UP against Privatization on other demands. Doctors, Nurses, Para-medical staff, Sanitation workers, Anganwadi ASHA workers have been asked to carryout locality surveys at the risk to their own lives were treated badly and non-payment compensation and insurance as announced. The farmers are already on agitation in almost all states.

3.  Corporatarisation and Privatization are the main agenda of the Government. FDI in the banking sector is also aiming to push back the control to foreign hands.

4.         The agenda set by the Government with a specific focus on privatising the Public Sector Banks, Sell the Government equity 0f 46% of IDBI to private hands, advising the LIC to withdraw the 51% in IDBI at the earliest, Lakshmi Vilas Bank, a private sector Bank of 94 years old, a forced takeover to a Subsidiary of foreign Bank headquarters at Singapore besides very many adverse working conditions advocated by the Banks coupled with the Solidarity action in support of CTUs call made our Organization identified with the masses and observed the Strike.  Three employees’ organizations too observed the strike in addition to our organization. Banking operations have been affected seriously.

5.         AIBOC, INBOC extended their solidarity support to CTUS strike today and NOBO specifically extended support to our organizational stand and issues raised by us concerning our Industry. We extend our heartfelt thanks for their solidarity with the masses.

6.         It is only the beginning of our struggle against the moves adversely affecting the fulcrum of the progress of the Nation.  We cannot remain aloof, away and apart from the emerging environment where jobs and jobs security are going to be a distant dream for the new generations of workers in all areas including in our Industry. SBI recent advertisement of offering the job for 8000 aspirants as apprentices under an Act for three years with a fixed compensation.

The fox is at our doorsteps. It is our prime duty to protect our jobs and jobs security secured by our elders through trade union struggles.

FEAR NOTHING.

FEAR ONLY TO DO WRONG.

We congratulate the members of our Organization and employees’ for observing the strike today, as your sacrifice is going to benefit larger groups of workers. RED SALUTES TO ALL.

Yours comradely,

 /S.NAGARAJAN./

GENERALSECRETARY

Circular No.19/VII/2020

November 17, 2020

TO

ALL UNITS / STATE COMMITTEES

Comrades,

8^TH JOINT NOTE  - OFFICERS’ WAGE REVISION  - TWISTS  AND TURNS.

LIGHT  WAS  VISIBLE  AT  THE  END  OF  THE  TUNNEL  ON  11.11.2020.

In the background of Government of India advising the individual banks to conclude the wage revision before the expiry date ie 31.10.2017, IBA, stepped into the exercise of commencing  of bilateral negotiation with nine constituents on 02.05.2017.  The Charter of demands was submitted to the IBA in the first week of June 2017 by four officers’ organisations and five workmen organisations.

2.   The negotiating team of IBA was headed by Shri.  Raj Kiran Rai G., MD&CEO – Union Bank of India, and other members of the team were Shri. Prashant Kumar the then DMD SBI, Shri.Rakesh Sharma MD&CEO, IDBI, Shri. Pallav Mohapatra, MD&CEO, Central Bank of India, Shri, Shyam Srinivasan MD Federal Bank, Shri. M.K.Jain, MD&CEO e-OBC, and other officials of IBA and members of HR& IR department. The initial offer was hardly 2% looking at the poor financial conditions of the various banks.

3.  Though the progress was on snail’s pace, it was often obstructed with the issue of mandate up to Scale III, given by six banks. It was a clever ploy to divide and weaken the officers’ movement. On account of the Stalemate about the issue of full mandate covering all Seven Scales, the discussions were grounded. To defeat, needed a collective approach and action and  Four officers’ organisations forged together and ultimately succeeded in clinching the issue, which is great victory indeed.

4.   The original proposal of Performance Linked Pay (PLP)advocated by the IBA team on the matrix to be taken for PLP was Net Profit and Return on Assets. There were hardly six banks coming under stipulated parameters. The proposal of the IBA restricting the participation in the formation of the committee was debated in UFBU and as a result of the discussion in Sep 2019, all the nine constituents participated in the meeting convened for this purpose. AIBOA did present candid observations on Balance sheet related matters and how the proposal of IBA was unacceptable

5    It was a bolt from the blue. Next dose of the merger of Banks was announced by Hon’ble Finance Minister on 30^th August 2019 and the response by UFBU to the announcement was insignificant and a mute one. Looking at the developments and assessing the situation in the right perspective, 4 officers’ organisations gave a two days’ strike call in the last week of Sept’2019. There were discussions held by CLC (Central) to avert the Strike. The officers’ organisations did interact with Secretary, DFS, Delhi on 23^rd September 2019, in which certain candid assurances were given like formation of the committee at the Bank level in the matter Merger of Banks, the solution to mandate issue, 5-day banking, family Pension,  cross-selling the third party products and reversal of  New Pension Scheme. As the outcome was certainly positive, the proposed strike was deferred.

6.   IBA gradually increased the offer to 13.50% and ultimately stuck to its stand in Jan’2020. PLP was changed to PLI and matrix stipulated was operating/net profit and encashment of leave of 5 days/7days were given outside load proposed by IBA. We, however, felt the need for vigorous bargaining backed by organisational actions by observing the strike call for two days( 31^st Jan and 1^st Feb’2020).IBA did release the advertisements attacking the leaders as irresponsible instead of initiating appropriate steps to find out workable solutions. Two rounds of discussions took place in Feb and March 2020.

7.   COVID-19, the pandemic engulfed the entire World and Our Nation is not an exception. With adverse climate adding up to the problems prevailing, the role played by the Bank men/women during this critical period in implementing the Government’s schemes in trying circumstances, coupled with the efforts of the IBA team with particular reference to the then Chairman SBI Rajnesh Kumar, the MOU was inked on 22^nd July 2020 with the intervention of technology. Thus the first phase was ended with certain specific observations by officers’ organisations.

8.     The MOU signed on 22nd July 2020 restricted the loading on Basic Pay to 2.5%. The remaining cost distribution of 12.5% was taken forward by the IBA core team headed by Shri. Alok Choudhary DMD SBI, Shri.Gopal Murli Bhagat Dy.CEO IBA, Shri. S.K.Kakkar, Sr. Advisor, HR&IR along with the team members through three discussions held on 24^th Aug, 10^th Sep, and 12^th Octo,2020 with no concrete proposal for resolving the issues. Four officers’ organisations, for the first time in the history, submitted the proposal instead of the IBA providing their proposal of scales of Pay. We attempted to value enrichment through the prudent distribution of the remaining amount.IBA was repeatedly insisting for the personal presence of the negotiators to reach Mumbai and conclude the discussions at a stretch. Accordingly, on 15^th October 2020, full-fledged discussions were held spreading over nearly 12 hours commencing at 10.30.a.m.Hard bargaining was attempted leading to a satisfactory understanding.  The preliminary work about the 8^th Joint Note was also more or less nearing completion on 16^th Oct 2020. The approach of the IBA on 17^th October 2020 was disturbing and also an unexpected one. Thus signing the 8^th Joint note was aborted and our eleven office bearers were advised to return from Mumbai.

9.   IBA maintained their silence despite the written commitment to have the next round of discussions with us. The interse anomalies crept in were to be set right by IBA. Reversing the stand by IBA, by holding an exclusive meeting with officers on 9^th Nov,   preceding the UFBU meeting, was a step towards a forward moment. After stressful exercise and war of words, certainly, alternative solutions were arrived at. IBA was made to realise that officers organisations cannot be taken for granted in the negotiations and due weightage has to be given to their views. Ultimately, the 8^th Joint Note was inked by the IBA team and our 12 representatives on 11^th Nov 2020 at Hotel President Cuffe Parade Mumbai along with other three officers organization. The broad details have been already circulated along with the joint note for the benefit of the officers' community.

10.    Preserving the self-respect and dignity of the officers have been achieved. Unity, equality and respectability to the organisations are the fruits of this common approach with a determined exercise.

11.   There are unfinished agenda of achieving the 5-day week for the younger generation and up-dation of Pension on the lines of RBI scheme besides certain non-financial demands listed for discussion. In the meanwhile, the RBI has released the document on ownership pattern of Banks and proposed merger of LVB with a foreign bank subsidiary DBS Bank is the signals emanating from the Controller of the Banking System what is in store for the Bank employees and officers. Advertisement for appointment of 8000 apprentices in SBI is also an indication for jobs and also for the job security. Unification of all bank men collectively and decisively to combat such onslaughts is the need of the hour.

Having secured the wage revision for the workforce, repulsing back the attacks unleashed on Jobs and jobs Security and Privatisation of banks become our priority. Hence, making the 26^th November 2020 strike a resounding success is our prime duty and concern.

Yours Comradely,

/S.NAGARAJAN/

GENERAL SECRETARY 

Circular No.18/VII/2020

November 14, 2020

TO

ALL UNITS / STATE COMMITTEES                                                     

Comrades,

NOVEMBER 26^th Strike – UNITED MOVES ARE TO BE MADE

TO MAKE IT A RESOUNDING SUCCESS.

We have already conveyed the decision of our organisation to observe All India Stay Out Strike on 26^th Nov 2020 along with Central Trade Unions and other Independent Trade unions and Federations. The Joint Declaration adopted by the CTUs was also circulated to educate the members and also for propaganda purpose by units.

2.         The declared agenda of the present Government is to change the existing structure of the peaceful living of common citizens of our Country. No section of the employee is spared. One by One, the time tested practices and laws are altered to detrimental to the interest of the people for Nation. Some of the recent attacks are [1]. Change in Industrial Relations practices through amendments,[2.] Remunerative prices for the agricultural produce, and [3] The policy of privatisation of public sector undertakings including Banks etc. The moves are leading to job losses and also job security hitherto available will be withdrawn in a phased manner.

3.         In our Industry, four banks are slated to be privatised [a]. Punjab and Sind Bank, [b.] UCO Bank [[c].IOB and Bank of Maharashtra. These banks have contributed to the developmental activities in the  States/regions. To make big banks.  another step is the amalgamation and mergers have caused a lot of pains and dissatisfaction. On tap VRS has introduced in SBI, New norms for allocating the staff is also under active consideration of the Banks. IDBI privatisation is also under serious consideration as the Budget rolls out new directions to dismantle the special status enjoyed by IDBI from 1964. To halt the progress of the plan of the Government, the collective resistance movement is inevitable.

4.         AIBOA, true to its tradition, calls upon the officer members/state committees/ affiliated units to ensure participation in the preparatory programmes as well as  total strike on 26^th November 2020.

We advise our units to coordinate with other CTUs and other organisations in all programmes culminating in the STRIKE on 26^th Nov 2020.

ONWARD MARCH TO 26^th NOVEMBER STRIKE.

Yours comradely,

/S.NAGARAJAN/

GENERAL SECRETARY

Circular No.17/VII/2020

October 3, 2020

To:

ALL UNITS / STATE COMMITTEES

Comrades,

ATTACKS ON JOBS AND JOB SECURITY.

PRIVATISATION THREAT OF PUBLIC SECTOR BANKS LOOMING LARGE.

SOLIDARITY ACTION WITH CTUS.

STRIKE ON 26^th NOVEMBER 2020.

In the last session of the Parliament held for a short duration, labour law amendments were adopted despite strong reservations expressed by the CTUS. Instead of strengthening the recovery system in the Banks, further relaxations have been considered by the Government. There are different versions circulated in the print media about the privatisation of the public sector Banks. Though there was a denial by NITI AAYOG that they have not recommended any proposal for privatisation of Public Sector Banks, the present Government’s declaration made earlier while announcing a stimulus package indicated their plan.

2.         In the matter of IDBI, it was announced that LIC will be advised to withdraw their stake and recommendation to reduce the Government’s Stake in IDBI is also contemplated. Existing jobs are outsourced. Contractualisation of jobs are consciously promoted in our Industry.

3.         Taking the various developments into account and also issues concerning the common citizens as well as of our Nation, the CTUS have decided to observe an All India Strike on 26^th November 2020. The following issues are staring at us :

a .        PRIVATISATION OF PUBLIC SECTOR BANKS.

b.         ABOLISH CONTRACTULISATION OF JOBS.

c.        ADEQUATE RECRUITMENTS IN ALL CADRES.

            d.         SCRAP NEW PENSION SCHEME and RESTORE DEFINED

            PENSION BENEFIT TO ALL.

and other issues mentioned in the Joint Declaration adopted by the CTUS on 2^nd OCTOBER 2020.

4.         We advise our state committees and affiliated units to commence the preparatory exercise for making the strike on 26^th November 2020, a successful one.

The joint declaration adopted by the CTUS is annexed, the contents of which are self explanatory.

ONWARD MARCH TO MAKE THE SOLIDARITY ACTION WITH CTUS .......    

Yours Comradely.

 S,NAGARAJAN.

GENERAL SECRETARY

National Convention of Workers (Online)

Gandhi Jayanti Day, 2^nd October 2020

Declaration

This National Convention Of Workers, organised jointly by the Central Trade Unions and independent Federations/Associations, being held online for the first time due to the lockdown conditions that hinder physical gatherings, on 2^nd October 2020, Gandhi Jayanti Day, strongly condemns the onslaught on the basic democratic and constitutional rights of the workers, farmers and common people of our country by Modi led BJP government at the Centre as well as by BJP State Governments.

The posture that the BJP government made in its first term (2014-19), of consulting stake-holders, has been totally thrown to the winds in its second term since 2019. While all indicators pointed to economy drastically slowing down due to lack of demand, the Government continued to steer their policies in the name of “ease of doing business” aggravating widespread impoverishment and deepening the crisis further.

In the process, besides reducing corporate taxes, they have got the three anti-labour codes passed in Parliament most undemocratically, when the opposition parties were absent. These labour Codes are designed to impose conditions of virtual slavery on the workers, making formation of unions difficult and virtually taking away the right to strike, keeping large sections of unorganised sector workers, such as street vendors, domestic workers, mid-day meal workers, homebased workers, beedi workers, construction workers, rickshaw-pullers and other daily wagers etc. out of their ambit. 

In a similar way and in violation of all parliamentary and constitutional procedure, they have passed three farm bills and curbed the Essential Commodities Act, without legally guaranteeing minimum support price for farm produce, thus promoting corporate and contract farming, big food processing and retail monopolies, both foreign and domestic, and also endangering country’s food security.

The Government has gone further: Without even placing the Electricity(Amendment) Bill,2020 in the Parliament, it has started privatising electricity distribution network ignoring  opposing views by 12 Chief Ministers’, leaving the existing Employees at the mercy of the new franchise owners. Earlier, they resorted to merger of public sector banks without any effort at recovering huge NPA accounts, endangering common depositors money.

Faulty formulation and policy on GST and the sliding economy has put Government finances in difficulty, consequently drying up States’ finances. RBI, LIC and various PSEs are being used as ATMs, only leading to further frenzy of privatisation of PSUs through auctions and 100% FDI - be it railway routes, railway stations, railway production units, airports, Port & Docks, profit making Government Departments, coal mines, cash rich PSEs like BPCL, 41 Ordnance Factories, BSNL (calling their 86,000 employees Deshdrohis), Air India, road transports and so on.

All these destructive measures are being hastily pushed through when the country is reeling under Covid-19 pandemic. Even the so-called “Frontline Warriors” – Doctors, Nurses, Paramedical Staff, Sanitation Workers, Anganwadi, ASHA workers, who are being forced to carry out locality surveys at the risk to their own lives, were treated shabbily, not paying them promised monetary and insurance benefits!

And the known crony capitalists are making headlines for increasing their market worth by crores of rupees every day of the pandemic!

The unplanned lockdown wrought untold miseries to crores of migrant workers, which make the stories of demonetisation pale by comparison. The period has been harder for women, who experienced increased harassment at workplaces, public places, as well as at home.

The economy of the country came to a standstill, unemployment, especially of women, climbed to all time highest levels, while the GDP shrank as never before. The Government was never serious about their own advisories issued to the employers at the beginning of the lockdown - such as not to terminate workers, not to deduct wages for the lockdown period etc. They were tamely withdrawn when challenged by employers in the Supreme Court.

But an opaque PMCARES Fund was floated where Corporates started contributing and Government employees were arm-twisted to contribute. Their DA is frozen. An old G.O. is resurrected that allows the Government to force an employee to retire prematurely.

Thereafter, the Central Government has simply passed on the responsibility of handling pandemic situation on to the State Governments. The undermining of elected state governments, through money power, use of coercive targeting of political opponents through state agencies such as CBI, ED, NIA, Police is blatant, for all to see.

The divisive machinations being played out, to tear up the secular fabric of our society, by implicating and accusing all intellectual opponents of CAA for conspiring and instigating North-East Delhi riots, and  not even filing FIRs for hate speeches by BJP leaders by using Delhi Police has been condemned all around. The subversion of the Supreme Court is alarming.

In this traumatic condition, New Education Policy has been introduced, which is wholesale privatisation of education, that will discriminate against poor people. In short, the Constitution is sidelined with impunity.

The situation is serious.

This national joint convention of trade unions strongly condemns these measures of the Modi led BJP government as being anti-worker, anti-peasant and anti-national.

This convention notes that various sections of workers and toiling people are tenaciously fighting these attacks on their hard won rights and benefits, on their lives and living conditions.

The coal workers’ three days’ strike, the Ordnance Factories Workers strike, Railway Production Units workers demonstrations, BPCL workers two day strike, demonstrations and struggles of RTC workers, oil workers, steel workers, port workers, cement workers, scheme workers and workers and employees of various other sectors, ongoing agitations of the electricity workers and engineers in UP, who have launched big struggles including strikes against privatisation and on their other demands.

The Convention stands firmly with the serious decision of the Ordnance Factories workers to go on indefinite strike from 12^th October 2020 in defence of the country’s security.

The Convention calls upon all the workers of the Country to hold militant demonstrations in support of the strike in all the workplaces on 12^th October, 2020 and after every week thereafter, till the strike is settled honourably.

This convention extends full solidarity to the farmers who are demanding withdrawal of anti farmer agri-laws which have been passed without even allowing voting on them. This convention declares that the joint trade union movement would continue to support and express solidarity in all forms to their struggle at the national level as well as in any part of the country. The workers stand in firm solidarity with the farmers.

While appreciating the huge participation of workers in all the joint trade union protest programmes taken up by the joint trade union platform during the lockdown period, despite the immense difficulties imposed due to the lockdown, this convention underlines the necessity to further intensify the struggle. The Modi government at the centre has no qualms in sacrificing the interests of workers, farmers and all toiling and common people of the country for the benefit of the Corporates.

Despite the continuous demand by not only the entire trade union movement, but also by eminent economists, to ensure cash transfer to put money into the hands of the people that would not only provide some succour to them but revive the country’s sliding economy, the BJP government is not ready to do so. Despite our godowns overflowing with food grains, the BJP government is not ready to provide free ration to the needy.

This convention strongly asserts that this situation calls for higher forms of united resistance struggles in the form of defiance and non-cooperation by the entire working class. It calls for solidarity of all sections of working people, workers, peasants and agricultural workers.

This convention calls upon the entire working class of our country to prepare for a country wide general strike on the following demands:

·        Cash transfer of Rs 7,500 per month for all non income tax paying families

·        10 kg free ration per person per month to all needy

·        Expansion of MGNREGA to provide 200 days’ work in a year in rural areas at enhanced wages; extension of employment guarantee to urban areas

·        Withdraw all anti farmer laws and anti worker labour codes

·        Stop privatisation of public sector including the financial sector and stop corporatisation of Govt run manufacturing and service entities like Railways, Ordinance Factories, Ports etc. 

·        Withdraw the draconian circular on forced premature retirement of Government & PSU Employees

·        Provide Pension to all, scrap NPS and restore earlier Pension, improve EPS-95

This convention calls upon the working class to organise joint state/ district/ industry/sectoral level conventions, physically wherever possible, online otherwise, before the end of October 2020;  to conduct an extensive campaign on the adverse impact of the labour codes on the workers down to the grass roots level up to mid-November and for the one day country wide general strike on 26^th November, 2020. Let it be known that this One Day Strike is in preparation for more intense, more tenacious and longer struggles that lie ahead.

The Convention calls upon all the working people, whether unionised or not, affiliated or independent, whether from organised sector or unorganised sector, to intensify the united struggle against the anti-people, anti-worker, anti-farmer and anti-national policies of the Govt and make the call for countrywide general strike on 26^th November, 2020 a total success.

           INTUC              AITUC                        HMS                        CITU                AIUTUC   

       TUCC                SEWA                      AICCTU                     LPF                    UTUC

And  INDEPENDENT FEDERATIONS / ASSOCIATIONS

Circular No.16/VII/2020

23.09.2020

TO

ALL UNITS / STATE COMMITTEES

Comrades,

EXTEND SOLIDARITY TO THE FIGHTING

AGRICULTURAL WORKERS STRUGGLE ON 25^TH Sept 2020.

Our Nation depends on the Agricultural and Allied activities for its existence. It has been amply established in the current lockdown period that the growth in the Agricultural Sector is alone positive. Public Sector Banks are directly responsible for its growth from the date of Nationalisation of Banks. The workforce in the industry continues to perform the noble task of timely help to the farmers from time to time. The green revolution, white revolution, IRDP loans etc are the notable achievements in our Nation.

2.         The current session of the Parliament has passed certain Acts which are considered to be an anti-farmer approach of the Government. One of the important allies in the present Government preferred to opt-out the Governance exercise in protest against the adoption of the Bills which are against the interest of the agricultural activities as a whole. CTUS have released a joint declaration in support of the Agitation.

3.         We advise the members and units are to participate in the programme of Agricultural workers on 25^th Sept 2020.

With greetings,

Yours comradely,

(S.NAGARAJAN)

GENERAL SECRETARY.

21^st September, 2020

Press Release                                                                                     

CENTRAL TRADE UNIONS SUPPORT

THE PEASANTS’ UNITED PROTESTS ON 25^TH SEPTEMBER

DEMANDS BJP GOVERNMENT TO STOP DESTRUCTIVE ANTI FARMER MEASURES

CALLS FOR COUNTRYWIDE SOLIDARITY ACTIONS BY WORKERS

The joint platform of Central Trade Unions and sectoral federations declares its unstinted support to the initiative of Joint Platform of Peasants and Agricultural Workers Organisations –the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee to hold Countrywide Protest and Resistance on 25^th September 2020 through massive demonstration, Rail Roko, Rasta Roko etc against the anti-people, anti-farmer destructive legislations being pushed through by the BJP Govt at the centre which was preceded by Ordinances in an authoritarian manner. We also join them in protesting against the disastrous Electricity Amendment Bill 2020.

CTUs and sectoral federations call upon the workers and their unions of all affiliations and across the sector to join actively in the programmes of protest and resistance being organised by the peasants’ organisations in and around their respective areas.

The anti-farmer, anti-people move of the Govt have been initiated by three Ordinances which are aimed at completely restructuring the management of the agricultural economy including farm trade in total favour of the big-landlord corporate nexus and multinational trading cliques on agricultural produce. They virtually kill the rights and entitlements of the agricultural population. The Essential Commodities Act and related anti-hoarding, anti-black-marketing regulations are going to be curbed. The virtual withdrawal of Govt’s role in ensuring fair and remunerative prices for farmers’ produce will pave the way for ultimate doing away with Govt procurement of agricultural produce with minimum support price. In totality, peasant agriculture will be totally ruined, on which survival of more than sixty percent population is dependent. These measures would recklessly promote contract farming at terms and prices dictated by big landlord-corporate nexus including foreign trading cliques, who would usurp monopoly power. Mass of the non agricultural population will also be severely affected and put in miseries since the food security of the country is going to be endangered under new dispensations. The new measures are also aimed to facilitate profiteering by big players like Adani, Wilmar, Reliance, Walmart, Birla, ITC etc and also the large trading companies, both foreign and domestic.

Two of these destructive ordinances have already been converted into laws in the ongoing Parliament session. They are patently unconstitutional as they encroach upon State subject, destroying federalism in the process. Hence defiance and resistance with a determination not to allow these destructive measures to be implemented in our agricultural economy is the only way before the people. The joint countrywide action by All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC) on 25^th September 2020, which may turn into total Bandh in Punjab and Haryana and series of blockades in every corner of the country, is therefore a necessary action to protect the farmers, the food security and the country’s economy. The working class movement firmly stands by it.

CTUs and Federations reiterate their solidarity and support to the call for countrywide protest and resistance actions by peasants on 25^th September 2020 and any united actions later on in states and call upon the working people to extend support and organise solidarity programmes across the sectors.

INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, TUCC, SEWA, AICCTU, LPF, UTUC
And Sectoral Federations and Associations

Circular No.15/VII/2020

September 23, 2020

To:

ALL UNITS /  STATE COMMITTEES

Comrades,

LETTER TO IBA –INSURANCE BACKED HOSPITALIATION

“We learn that since the current year’s policy is coming to an end by this month but we have not received any communication from your side till date.  However, we have come to know through many Banks that this year after getting revised quotations, etc. for the ensuing year 2020-21, the Policy is being renewed with National Insurance Co.

2.         It has been brought to our notice that National Insurance Company has given their rates for Super Top Up Policy and some of the Banks have also advised their employees/officers to give their option to avail this facility for additional cover of Rs.4 lacs and Rs. 5 lacs for award staff and officers respectively over and above the existing coverage of Rs.3 lacs and Rs.4 lacs for the award staff and officers respectively as is provided in the Bipartite Settlement and Joint Note.  These circulars further state that the premium towards these additional Super Top up Policy has to be paid by the employee or officer concerned upto a date fixed by them.

3.         In this connection, you are aware that as per the Settlement/Joint Note, the Scheme covers  1)basic cover of Rs.3 lacs and Rs.4 lacs and 2)additional coverage under buffer amount to be provided by the Insurance Company.  Hence Super Top up facility for the in-service employees/officers has no meaning.  Since extra cover over and above the basic limit is already available under the Scheme and Policy as buffer amount, this additional option to the employees is not warranted.

4.         Since these instructions are bound to create confusion and misunderstandings amongst the employees and officers, we seek your immediate intervention to suitably advice the Banks as well as National Insurance Company,  not to make this Super Top up facility applicable to the working employees/officers and this offer should immediately be withdrawn under advice to us.

                                                                                                                                                                                                     =UFBU=”

Yours comradely,

/S.NAGARAJAN/

GENERAL SECRETARY

Circular No.7/VII/202
April 20, 2020

TO
ALL UNITS / STATE COMMITTEES 


Comrades,

                                               FIRST TRADE UNION OF BANKMEN ENTERS
                                                                           
                                                                  75th YEAR TODAY.                        
                                         
                                              FRATERNAL GREETINGS FROM THE SIBLING.

The first trade union of Bankmen in pre-independent India founded on 20th April 1946, in the city of Joy – Calcutta. The growth of the five magical letters Organisation spread its wings throughout the length and breadth of our Nation during the seventy-four years of its existence. It was built brick by brick by the selfless services and sacrifices made by countless people. The journey by the organisation from its foundation until its 13th conference held at Trivandrum was mainly dominated by presentations before the labour tribunals. Thus the turning point in the onward march of the organisation was the introduction of bilateralism between the managements of the Banks and AIBEA.

2. It is said; “ Trade unions are instruments for change.” The seamless execution of plans of action by the titans of the movement was unparallel in the Industry, The fulcrum of the developing economy is wrested with banking activities. Thus the steps initiated in 1969, led to political turmoil. Social Control brought by the Government was fought tooth and nail. Despite various roadblocks, ultimately 14 banks were nationalised. The strategic move benefited society in various forms, notably the green revolution, white revolution, IRDP loan to benefit the poor etc. Workers participation in decision making process was also introduced in 1972 by the convincing skill of late Com.H.L.Parvana and also by Com.Prabhatkar. On 18th April 1975, the tireless and self-less crusader of the working class became immortal. The emergency was clamped and the leaders were subjected to harassment by the political outfit, Com .Prabhat Kar and Com.D.P.Chadha came out unscathed.

3. Attacks followed in scores. Abrupt steps were taken by the then government to freeze the Dearness compensation to the workforce in the Industry. Sensing the danger, timely step to unite the workforce was seriously pursued. The leadership of AICOBOO made a somersault at the last minute and backed out of the Indefinite strike call in 1979. The result was introduction Pillai Committee Recommendations on Wages and Service Conditions for the bank officers w.e.f from 01.07.1979 for Nationalised Bank officers and State Bank officers got it from 1.10.1979, where a better pay structure was extended, a prize offered to SBI workforce. The necessity had arisen to organise the officers who rose from the ranks and thus the formation of Officers after a serious debates. Nagpur, the orange city became the place to give birth to our Officers Organisation in Feb 1981. The fourth bipartite settlement was signed on 16th September 1984 with least struggle by the workforce. The first Charter of demand for officers was submitted to IBA on 26th June 1984 under the leadership of Com.Prabhat Kar and Com.P.K.Menon. We lost Com.Prabhat da on 27th Nov,1984.

4. The introduction of machines and its upgradations from time to time to suit the requirements of the Industry, effective presentation before the NARASIMHAM I and NARASIMHAM II on Banking Reforms in 1992 and subsequently, opposing the dilution of equity of the Government to private players, securing the benefit of Cradle to Grave Scheme with effect from 1.11.186, successive improvements secured through bilateral settlements and projecting the need of uniting the entire workforce under UFBU from the Golden Jubilee Conference in Nov 1996 were ntable achievements, by legendary leader Com.Tarak Da who held the leadership of the Industry from 1978 -2003.

As the author of the theory of relativity, Shri Albert Einstein quote:
     
    The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge, but imagination.

5. The journey of the organisation thus continued to get numerous financial benefits besides preparing the workforce to oppose the ill-advised the policy of the Government in putting the clock back to pre 1969. The merger of Banks instead of expansion, to sell the equity of the Developmental Financial Institution IDBI to private hands, enabling provisions to facilitate the corporate not to repay the huge loans to Banks and ultimately causing the attack on Jobs and Job Security are the major issues starring at all of us. 

6. On entering the 75th Year, AIBOA greets:

    May you always,
    Remember how wonderful you are in your own ways and hold on 
    to your dreams and Keep them close to your heart,
    May you recognize Every precious opportunity that comes your way and never loses ability to see your     
    way hrough any worries,
    Because you hold tomorrow within your hands and always  
    remember that the wishes and goodwill of your friends and dear ones are there with you 
    in each step of your way.

7. The team AIBOA bows in the memory of founding leaders of the great movement.

                                                                          LONG LIVE AIBEA

                                    LONG LIVE WORKING CLASS - LONG LIVE WORKERS UNITY.

                                                   LET US FACE THE CHALLENGES TOGETHER,

Yours comradely,

S,NAGARAJAN.
GENERAL SECRETARY.