Nagpur News.
The bank employees and officials who are on strike across the country from February 10, claimed the indifferent and insensitive attitude of IBA and the Government towards their demands forced them to go on strike. The bank employees and officials have been observing strike on February 10 and 11 The banks will open usually on February 12.
The strike is under the banner of UFBU. The bank staffers are demanding early wage revision and stopping of anti people banking reforms. On the second day of strike today, under the banner of UFBU massive demonstrations were held in front of Bank of India. Subsequently a massive procession/rally was taken out to State Bank of India, Zonal office Kingsway under the joint leadership of B. K. Talware Convener of UFBU and President AIBOC, MS II and Joint Conveners Ramkumar Gupta, President, EMBEA & Dr. Pradip Yelne, N.C.B.E. Slogans were raised drawing attention of IBA & Govt. combine by M. S. Wasnik, Chandilya Iyer, Satyaprakash Tiwari, Satyashil Rewatkar, Neelkanth Julme, Jayawant Gurway, Surabhi Sharma led the demonstrations joined by more than 1000 agitating officers and workmen.
The rally was converted into a meeting at State Bank of India, Kingsway premises where it was addressed by leaders of affiliated organisation of UFBU.
B. K. Talware expressed at present the bank employees and officers’ salaries are abysmally low as compared to Govt. employees and condemned the recent statement of Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram talking against the legitimate demand of wage revision of Bank employees & officers. He explained the gathering how the Govt. is dictating to the public sector Bank management about the payment of dividend to fill up their coffers and offering substantive pay hike to Govt employee. However, about toiling bank workmen, he is misleading general public about our demand of reasonable pay hike. He demolished the argument that due to provision for mounting NPA, Government can not accept the hike demanded by UFBU. He stated that even after making provision for NPA to the tune of Rs. 43000 crore, the public sector banks have made the profit of Rs. 50000 crores and workman would required only 15 % of Net profit for meeting their demands. Further, he stated that the 90 % of the NPAs are from the accounts which are sanctioned by the Board of the Banks. Hence, the top managements of PSBs are responsible for mounting NPAs and not the workmen.
Pradip Yelne Jt. Convener UFBU representing NCBE congratulated the gathering for live participation in the demonstrations and making the Strike call successful. Categorically denying the offer made by IBA which happened to be too low that cannot be accepted. He also appealed to be in readiness for intensifying the further actions as decided by UFBU.
L. P. Nandanwar, BEFI highlighted the problems faced by Officers & workmen and condemned the statement made by Union Finance Minister Mr. P. Chidambaram and greeted the members for live participation in the movement.
P. S. Kohale from AIBOA expressed his concern that Prices are rising unabatedly eroding the real money value; hence early wage revision has become all the more necessary.
D. S. Mishra State Secretary AIBOC MS-II categorically expressed that the present statement of Union Finance Minister is unexpected as the Bank employees are contributing their salaries by earning for Bank which is going to Government by way of dividend on Bank’s profit which is utilised for meeting number of government requirements from time to time. Bankers are working for upliftment of downtrodden public in the society which is one of the most popular social agenda of government. He congratulates the Leadership of UFBU for developing harmonious relations with SBI management and for the thunderous success of 48 hours Strike Call.
Sohoni from NOBW speaking on the occasion highlighted the reason for Officers & employees getting agitated and appealed to all participants to be in readiness for future struggle.
N. J. Sharma adding his views to the previous speakers stated that settlement will have to be concluded in the time frame. The present communication received from IBA deferring the next round of talks scheduled on 13.02.2014 indefinitely is more encouraging step for further strengthening of UFBU and its members. He was optimistic about settling for more than what was achieved during earlier salary revisions. UFBU leaders are meeting on 13th February and asked the members to be ready for indefinite strike if our legitimate demands are not fulfilled.
Ramkumar Gupta, said that the bond of strong unity among officers and employees, we will surely win the battle and get the reasonable wage revision up to the expectations of the members. He appealed the members to act according to the instructions received from UFBU leadership from time to time.
