Update : UFBU IS MEETING ON 7th SEPTEMBER 2009 at CHENNAI to discuss further course of action.
You are kindly aware that in the backdrop of a series of agitational programmes and strike actions in the banking sector in 2007/08 , at the intervention of the Central Government and by mutual agreement between UFBU and IBA, an MoU was signed on 25-2-2008 ( copy enclosed) covering the important demands of the UFBU. Based on the MoU, UFBU withdrew all agitational programmes and strike actions and restored normalcy.
The main contents of the MoU are as under:
“ The representatives of the IBA agreed to hold discussions with the United Forum of Bank Unions [UFBU] on 3rd March 2008 to set a definite time frame for holding discussions on each of the UFBU’s following proposals.
1) Reconcile the actuarial calculations relating to pension with a view to consider extending one more option of pension to the remaining employees who are under CPF.
2) The issue of allowing coverage to the employees and officers through pension scheme recruited in the banks between 1-11-93 and 28-9-1995 which will be once again taken up with the Government for reconsideration.
3) As regards restoration of compassionate appointment scheme, the IBA requested the UFBU to suggest improvement, modifications etc. to the scheme to enable IBA to refer the matter to the Government for further consideration.
4) On the demand of UFBU that proper recruitment is not taking place in banks resulting in increased workload for the employees and officers, the representatives of IBA maintained that recruitment is a bank specific function. However, the UFBU maintained their own view that the IBA should advise the banks to ensure adequate recruitment in the banks through proper procedure etc.
5) As regards outsourcing, the representatives of IBA agreed to discuss the matter with UFBU keeping in view the existing parameters and regulatory guidelines.
6) As regards merger of the public sector banks the representatives of IBA submitted that there are no directions or guidelines from Government of India to banks on the subject of merger/consolidation of banks and as such the demand is premature. The UFBU did not agree to the view of IBA and strongly maintained that IBA should ensure that management of Banks should not proceed with the merger unilaterally without addressing the concerns of the Unions.
7) As regards revision of wages the representatives of IBA submitted that the machinery has been set in motion and once the mandates from all the banks are available bilateral negotiations will commence.
The representatives of UFBU brought to the notice of CLC(C) during conciliatory proceedings held on 22nd February 2008 that some of the banks have been violating the pension regulation by excluding the newly recruited officers from the existing pension scheme and offering them an alternative pension scheme without amending the pension regulation which is discriminatory and beyond the competence of the concerned banks. ”
You will kindly observe that nowhere in the MoU, neither the IBA raised the issue of introduction of the new Pension Scheme nor the Unions agreed to make it a part of the discussions in the proposed discussions. On the other hand, we objected to some of the Banks trying to unilaterally introduce such a scheme and this has been recorded in the MoU also.
You will further recall that after signing the MOU, in the very first round of meeting held on 3-3-2008 between IBA and UFBU it was agreed that the issue of pension option should be resolved within a period of three months. But we are now observing the anniversary of that MoU and yet the issue remains unresolved.
In this regard we are constrained to bring to your kind attention the following:
1. The MoU is a culmination of a long drawn struggle on our demand for another option for pension. IBA agreed to consider our demand on our recognising the need for and agreeing to sharing a portion of the additional cost. On our part we have stood by our commitment and even offered to take a substantial share of Rs.1500 crores out of the total additional cost.
2. Instead of finalizing and resolving the issue of pension option with mutually acceptable cost sharing, the IBA Negotiating Committee has been asking for our consent to introduce the Central Government’s New Pension Scheme for the new recruitees as a pre-condition for extending another option for the existing employees to join the pension scheme.
3. The MoU dt. 25 2 2008 does not contain any pre-condition by the IBA that our demand for another option for pension would be considered only on the condition that this new pension scheme would be accepted by us for the new employees.
4. The pension settlement dated 29 10 1993 stipulates that all the new recruitees from 1-11-93 would be governed only by the pension scheme as outlined in that settlement. Pension Regulations have also reiterated this service condition.
5. No central trade union or the unions of the Central/State Government employees have so far accepted this new Pension Scheme. The Parliament is also unable to pass the Bill on the Pension Regulatory Authority. Even for the Government employees, the full details of the scheme are really not worked. We learn that even the amount accumulated in the Fund has not been invested so far.
6. The IBA has also not outlined the full details of the new scheme which it wants to impose on the new recruitees in Banks from now on. Can any trade union accept a new scheme the details and implications of which are not known ?
7. Notwithstanding all these, you should appreciate that UFBU has offered that upon IBA providing us the full details of the proposed new pension scheme, we shall be willing to discuss with an open mind, the feasibilities of introduction of the new scheme to the new recruitees who will join the bank in future if such a scheme is going to be really beneficial to them. But the present exercise of working out the cost sharing and extension of pension option to the existing employees should not be linked up with the discussion on the new pension scheme.
8. Our above offer itself is a major deviation from the MoU dated 25-2-2008 and is in fact beyond the mandate to us from our constituency.
9. When IBA and Bank managements are conscious about the cost and quite rightly too, it must be kept in mind that on all earlier occasions like the 7th and 8th Bipartite settlements, we have recognized the additional cost and have agreed to account for the same in the wage revision even though the Pension Settlement does not provide for the same.
10. IBA suddenly taking a rigid position that the new pension scheme, the full details of which are not made known to anyone, should be accepted by the unions or foisted on the new recruitees as a pre-condition to extend an option to the present employees is unfair and unreasonable.
11. From the UFBU, during discussions held on 21-2-2009, having regard to the longstanding bilateral relationship between IBA and our Unions and the earnestness to find solution to the issue raised by IBA, we have offered as under.
a) Existing scheme to continue.
b) IBA should give the full details of their proposed new pension scheme.
c) After study of the new scheme, IBA & UFBU can discuss the feasibility of introducing the new scheme after one year.
d) In the meantime, the issue should be delinked and option for the existing employees should be extended by finalizing the sharing formula without any further delay.
You will appreciate that the above suggestions are well-meant and reasonable.
We have been informed that our above suggestions would be discussed in the next Managing Committee meeting scheduled on 27-2-2009.
WAGE REVISION:
Similarly you are aware that our demands for wage revision have been submitted as far back as October, 2007 and given the increasing roles and responsibilities of the employees and officers in the banking industry, the increased volume of work and productivity, etc., there is a need and expectation for a fair wage revision. But the offer made by IBA so far does not meet such expectations and does not form a reasonable basis for an early settlement of the demand.
Hence the present avoidable conditionalities and stand points of IBA and the delay in the settlement of our demands are creating unrest amongst the rank and file. We are afraid that if the IBA would persist with such an approach and attitude, we may have to revive the agitational programmes and strike actions which would inevitably disturb the present peaceful and cordial industrial relations in the banking sector.
In view of the above, we urge upon you to intervene in the matter for an expeditious settlement of our demand for pension option and wage revision on the basis of the MoU signed between IBA and UFBU on 25-2-2008 and the subsequent discussions held between UFBU and IBA and spare the industry of the avoidable industrial unrest.
Source AIBEA.
27 comments :
Dear fello Bankers,
With the kind of leadership we have, I can assure you that the common banker will get nothing in the name of wage revision. Almost all the leaders are now waiting for either retirement or VRS and, therefore, they are interested in 2nd Option of pension ONLY because at the time of 1st option,they were sleeping in their office. If you still have any doubt and believe that they are fighting for wage revision, please see the memorandum submitted UFBU to MOF and IBA. Out of 7 pages of memorandum, 6 and half page is dedicated to 2nd option of pension and at the end of memorandum, a few lines mentioned regarding wage revision.
Till now I was under impression that the periodicity of wage settlement is 5 year and other issues can be taken at any time. However, this time, we presume that the leaders are ready to sacrifice the "Overdue" wage revision for their personal benefits. Still they continue to be our leaders and representatives for wage nogotiation.
I can't understand why UFBU is still silent on wage revision and no one knows what happend in the meeting scheduled on 5th March at Chennai. Perhaps they have agreed to sacrifiece the wage revision in liu of "Pension" for them and their retired Gurus and permanent "tension" for a common banker.
May god save the poor bankers of India from UFBU, now working like UFBB( Union for befooling bankers).
Dear Fellow Bankers,
Bank Trade Unions are functioning in queer ways. Leaders are working for their own goals. There are two directors ( representing workers and officers) on board different public sector banks charged whopse duty is to function as spokesmen of the workforce. All along, they have been sleeping or clapping hands on all wrong decisions prejudicially affecting workers.
Unions severe the connections with members when they retire. They drove all the retired to different courts for justice without addressing their issues. Many who were denied Pension Option had to approach Courts. Pension matter was a stale one until early 2006 and Unions had, in the course of 8th Bipartite Talks, surrendered the right of employees agreeing not to reopen it again.
Unions started adddressing the issue only after I issued an all India Circular on 10th January, 2006 to all fellow bankmen. ( You can see some items in the blog " www.bankpension.blogspot.com". You may visit the blog and scroll against the different items seen on the left hand side in the blog. ). Agitating for five days on the Pension Issue that was buried deep in the grave yard for years together, the bank unions once again proved that they have power. The MOU dated 25th February, 2008 agreeing to settle Pension Issue within three months from then is the Magna Carta of Pension in the history of Banking. Unions that were averse to Pension in mind did not enforce the MOU even after the anniversary date and allowed to mix it up with wage revision. The reluctant horse was pushed to the pond, but still it refused to drink water. If Pension issue was settled within the agreed time frame or within the next six months it would never have got mixed up with the Wage Talks, giving the IBA a bargain to for employee's contribution for meeting pension bill. Once again, the interests of workforce got pledged. The elephant continues to walk as per the tunes played by the mahout without realising its strength.
Pension becomes contributory for all present employees who will have to surrender Rs.8.00 lakhs to Rs.12.00 lakhs standing to their CPF for joining the scheme. Again, a portion of the proposed wage hike is reportedly contributed towards Pension Burden. After making it contributory for the existing work force, Unions bargain for a non-contributory Pension Scheme for people who are to be recruited in future without any sacrifice or contribution from their side. Is it not strange? Let you be the judge.
I have spent about Rs.3.00 lakhs out of my terminal benefit on Printing Postage and stationery to bring the issue of Pension to the present status. While unions say that they have no commitment or responsibility to retired employees, one retired officer has spent huge money and efforts lasting for eight years to secure Pension Benefit to those working when the unions they subscribe to remained non-performing on it.
Union is strength. Unions in might Union is right. Split among the different unions alone created the issues. Let a change of heart take place among the leaders so that they work for the real benefit of the members
The option is not a second option. As per the presnet Pension Scheme in operation in Banks ( sans the clause enabling forfeiture of entire past services for participatiuon in strike) no employee has got an option. If the existing Pension Scheme is implemented in letter and spirit, all are entitled to a fresh optio n which is the "first option" itself. It appears to be ridiculous when one calls it a second option. If they fail to sort out the Pension Issue separately people may start calling them UFBU assigning the expansion"Unscrupulous" for U
C N Venugopalan , Ex-Manager, Union Bank of India, "Nandanam" Kesari Junction, North Paravoor-683 513 Kerala- contact NO. 0484 2447994 or 9447747994.
Dear Friends,
Gone through the coments of Mr.Chandramohan and of Mr. Venugopal. Nicely discussed the Wage Issue and Pension Issue
Venugopal has done a Herculian Task for establishing the rights of the working and the retired. He has cornered both IBA and Bank Unions. He used the unions as his weapon to beat the IBA and forced them to correct the past mistakes. Good work to be appreciated by all- retired and the working alike.
T K Baburaj,
Thommankudiyil, Marottichode, Kochi 682 024
Reference to the posting of Mr. Chandramohan was made with referenced to another blog seen earlier. Confusion if any is regretted
Once upon the time Bank Jobs were very good even Prime Minister himself who thundered that bank employees enjoyed best ...but NOW we are the lowest paid Govt employees on one hand President,Chief Secretary,Judges are seeking 300% rise in their pay (whatEVER fitment formulae may be at present Judges who were drawing salary of Rs.30000/-now after fitment there rise is Min Rs.85-90 000)where as we are fighting for double digit rise,which is not at all acceptable.Pension policy though signed not declared till date, remember one thing, we are not going to contribute from our salary to pension fund to those who are retiring/retired employees AIBEA WE ARE WITH U if u want DECLARE Indefinte Strike and seek the best.We all are profit generators to the government, pl think and act.OTHERWISE STEP DOWN from YOUR POST and allow the person WHO IS CAPABLE TO HANDLE THE ISSUEs.
Dear sir,
Whatever comments that are appearing in these columns I am sure that those retired employees numbering about 60000 are also going to be the beneficiaries of another pension option with GOD'S GRACE. Thank God for your grace and mercy. The present employees should also think of those retired employees who have served their own banks for well over 30 years contributing to their prosperity. They should not forget that they too will reach the age of superannuation. Don't forget THAT TIME AND TIDE WAIT FOR NONE.
Posting the message of Shri m.c.vchharajani retired AGM of Central Bank of India Mumbai to Mr. C N Venugopal Ex-Manager UBI, PHone 0484 2447994 Cell 9447747994
dear venugopal.
i sincerly thanks for your mail on pension.
it is you and only you who has put all his efforts to fight cause of officers for third option for pension.
god bless you.
m.c.vchharajani
mumbai retired as agm from central bank on 30th june 2004 without pension
what about rrb? no body speaks about pension benefit leave aside other benefit. we are serving under extreme difficulties.
Just one million bank employees serving the needs of one billion Indians. They constitute the backbone of the entire Banking Industry.Banking industry is the spring-board of economic successes of India. It is managed amazingly well with committed and the honest emloyees and the Indian economy is insulated against global recessionary trends.A very good and well Managed IBA and the Banking Industry.Enough is enough. It is proper on the part of Minister for Finance to settle the wage revision talks amicably and thereby enable the banking employees to strive for ensuring overall progress of India to newer heights.
Just one million bank employees serving the needs of one billion Indians. They constitute the backbone of the entire Banking Industry.Banking industry is the spring-board of economic successes of India. It is managed amazingly well with committed and the honest emloyees and the Indian economy is insulated against global recessionary trends.A very good and well Managed IBA and the Banking Industry.Enough is enough. It is proper on the part of Minister for Finance to settle the wage revision talks amicably and thereby enable the banking employees to strive for ensuring overall progress of India to newer heights.
though the best talent is attracted towards banking industry, reward does not matches talent. Private banking sector is attracting the talent by offering reasonable pay, thus public sector banks are loosing the talent and suffering with dissatisficed employees. Even commoner says that salary of officers is peanut with regard to the talent, risk and responsibility associated. IBA is generous for writing of loans of defaulters and and not showing same generosity for employees who put their best part of life for the job. Unfortunately employees are not expressing their voice and follow like uneducated voters. So private banks are prospering growing at faster rate by rewarding their employees reasonably.
It is good development that few banks like sbi, pnb, bob wanted their pay structure to reward their employees and to retain talent and increase productivity level.
SOMEBODY TOLD ME THAT OUR WAGE SETTLEMRNT WAS AGREED AT 17.5% HIKE IN SALARY + PENSION OPTION TO
ALL EXISTING AND VRS OPTEES. ANY NEWS ABOUNT PAY STRUCTURE FOR CLEARICAL STAFF?
We (all bank employees) must stop union monthly subscription because our union leaders are enjoying and
making us fool.
U = union of
F = faithless
B= babbler
U= ulcers
BANK’s WAGE REVISION Mathematics
1. Initially IBA has agreed for Rs 6000/ Crore as wage revision Burden due external relativity (6th Pay commission recommendation). Later on improved up to Rs 7800 Crores.
2. Employee Unions raised the demand for pension Option. Option was converted into Pension burden calculation and sharing of Pension burden. Silently and conveniently External Relativity was ignored and lost.
a) Initially for current employee Pension burden (Rs 6000/ crore )
b) later on even for employees retired after 1996 pension burden Rs 3000 Crores.
3. Mathematics of pension is as follows
Assumption Rs 250/ crores is 1% (figures in Crore)
Total Wages offered by IBA = Rs 7800/- (Approx 31.2 %)
Total Burden of Pension = Rs 6000/-
Out of which
IBA agreed pension burden = Rs 4200/ (deducted from wage offer)
Wage revision offer shown to us = 3600 Crores (7800 – 4200= 3600) (actually 14.4 %)
Employee to bear Pension burden = Rs 1800/
Net (Actual ) Wage revision offer is only = Rs 1800/
(Rs3600 -1800= 1800) = 7.20 %
High Lights of wage revision Agreement :-
1. IBA was ready to pay 31.20 % rise Rs 7800/ Crore
2. Full pension burden is adjusted from wage hike in either way.(7800-6000)
3. Unions wants to help even retired (after 1996) employee from this wage revision.
4. Net Wage revision offered is meager Rs 1800/ Crore (Aprox 7.20%)
5. If pension is actually given as an option Employee would get 31.20 % rise in wage which when compared with external relativity (Central Govt employee was given 33 % to 40 % Rise.) may be in acceptable limit.
6. Pension burden is fully loaded on Bank’s employees.
7. In desperate bid to obtain 2nd pension Option, Union have opened a new way to IBA for sharing the future wage revision burden by employees.
8. This is not the pension option, it is burden sharing by Current employees.
9. Unions are silently playing against current employee interest,
Decision of Retired employee burden (RS 3000/ Crores ) sharing is not clear
Members needs to be alert of development, and read all UFBU circulars carefully. And Act if necessary.
all the old leaders were very shrood nature mens.they crush the union and make staff assosications for their own intrest if the members of bank employees were in colllecctive manners.the importance of leaders got detoriated they make the bank wise unions like staff associations.thereforeits just for their own benifits as ther are big selfish and tahts it they dont want to think abt the other people as abt the society just want to make money for themselves
Dear fellow Bankers,
I see, there are a lot of comments that directly blame the leaders of the association(s). I feel in some respect, we all are also responsible for the turmoil. The main reason behind it are,:-
1. We have more than a normal faith in them and waiting for the miracle they could
bring for us.
2. Why the Top leaders not put pressure to revise the pay, before the ELECTION, as was
done by the Central Govt. Employees?
3. When the Pension Schemes were not in the same structure for all the Banks, then why the Pension Option Demand placed in this Wage Revision Talks? Whereas this was a separate issue and need to be fight separately with more vigor. then why it was decided to place this on this juncture?
There are a lot of things to be reviewed but the lost could not be returned.
By: S.K.G.
can anybody tell me what will be the effect on the pension amount of the VRS optee of 2004 by the present wage settlement.
does the pensioner is eligible for any benefits extended to the present employees, for ex.in some PSU do have medical benefits extended to ex-staff of the company.
Much awaited wage settlement for bank officers/employees is said to have been signed and is in the process of implementation. The increase in the wages is shown to be 17.5% the lowest among the increase in the wages of Central govt. employees, defense employees or public sector undertaking employees. In none of these organizations their wage revision has been linked to the paying capacity of the organisation or other parameters. But when it came to the wage settlement of bank officers/employees all such funny arguments are put forward and our leaders have accepted. The percentage of increase in the wages and the pension of employees of central govt is said to be more than 40%. No contribution to the pension fund etc. The Union defense minister himself took up with the finance minister for the revision of the wages and pension of the defense employees and and all their recommendations were accepted. Some of the employees of public undertakings got more pension than they ever imagined. A retired scientist of Marine fisheries research institute got more than 100% in his pension.
Why the bank officers alone are penalised with all unnecessary arguments are put forward to deny our pension. Our management of course cannot be our spokesmen, but our leaders who gave fiery speaches also forgot us. What is the course of action for the future. I retired in 1995 in Scale III and now even clerks get more pension than me. Is this the justice we have been fighting for.
Dear Friends,
I WISH TO PLACE ON RECORD THE SERVICES OF SRI.VENUGOPAL [EX UNION BANK] FOR GETTING PENSION. BUT FOR HIM WE WOULD NOT EVEN DREAMT ABOUT PENSION.HATS OF TO YOU SIR.WISHING YOU ALL THE BEST
Dear Bankers,
As it is Banking job is thankless job as I think. Wage revision to Bank employees will be a big news and people think,Bank employees are at high income pocket. For the quality and risk involved in their duty, what they get is so low. And to achieve it wait and wait for negotiations.
can any one tell me whether pension for 2004 voluntary resigned employee will get any hike in pension after this settlement.not volunatary retirement. It was voluntary resignation under pension scheme.
Referring sharada subramanya May 3, 2010 1:03 PM:
"It was voluntary resignation under pension scheme."
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There is no scope for voluntary resignation under pension scheme in industrial pension 1993-95. But in SBI pension scheme such words are available. Mr. Nadaf is the right person to reply the quarry.
Thanks.
Really Mr Venugopal deserves thanks from all of us.
In an earlier post here ,(a few months back I had commented him as a single man army. It was his frequent e mails which kept the momentum and info to members. In fact somewhere I requested him to take the leadership.
Thanks Comrade.You deserve thanks.
Thank you Mr.Chandan,
What I mean to say is that, there was no VRS announced in Corporation Bank and I had resigned with Pension option and getting my pension. So will there be any hike in Pension after this settlement. I resigned in 2004.
I feel 2.8 times of November 2007 salary payable by working PF optees has no relation with 156% of Banks PF contribution with interest payable by retired employees.
If you read the case details you will find that the PF optees are prepared to share 1.6 times of November salary if shared uniformly by all including the existing pension optees.
The case even if decided will be for the above point only and not for 156% to be refunded by the retirees.Therefore I feel that IBA can very will be persuaded by the Unions to issue pension option letters to retirees.
On 6th july we are not sure the case will be decided. It can be delayed further we do not know.
Retirees need not wait for the outcome of the case as I feel that their case will not involved in the decision of the court if at it will be decided on 6th July.
In case I am wrong kindly correct my line of thinking.
Dear Sirs,
I would be highly obliged to you to please publish the DA hike of Bank pensioners every six months i.e hike from Feb to July and August to January as you are publishing the DA for existing Bank employees.
This would be of great help for Bank pensioners.
T.A.Seetharaman
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