KARUR VYSYA BANK EMPLOYEES' UNION

Transcription

1 KARUR VYSYA BANK EMPLOYEES' UNION (Regd. No. 2756) (Affiliated to AIBEA) Plot "E", New No : 44, Old No: 33B, 8th Street, Sourashtra Nagar, Choolaimedu, Chennai , Tamil Nadu. Phone: President : Ph : / General Secretary : Ph: / Circular No.: 35-24/13/ Dear Comrades, YOUTH MEET AT COIMBATORE As part of integrating the youth members into the mainstream of our Organisation, we had organized a "Youth Meet" at Coimbatore on 5th August Nearly 100 youth members including sizeable number of women members working in Coimbatore and surrounding districts have attended the meeting. The meeting commenced at a.m. Com.D.Subramani, Zonal Secretary invited all the leaders to the dias. Com.S. Suriyanarayanan, Organizing Secretary welcomed all the leaders and the youth members to the meeting. He said that as per the decision taken in our Trichy conference, Youth Meet is organized at major centres. The Youth Meet earlier conducted at Trichy, Madurai and Salem was a grand success with the active participation of youngsters. Com.P.Viswanathan, President presided over the youth meet. In his presidential address he briefly spoke on the need and necessity for conducting such type of youth meets in all major centers. He said that today majority of the Kayveebians are youth and it is the endeavor of the Union to speak about the importance of trade union movement and integrate them into the mainstream of our Union. He further said that union had invited leaders from various Organisations who will speak not only about the developments that are taking place in the banking industry but also about the challenges the working class movement is facing today. He requested the young Comrades to hear the speeches of the leaders with rapt attention and also actively take part in the deliberations. Com.K. Subramanian, AITUC Leader and also a Lawyer appreciated the Union in organizing such youth meets and expressed that it will be a new experience for the youths who are attending the meeting. He said that today banking industry is facing a serious challenge in the form of NPAs. All banks are performing well and earning operating profits. However, this profit is utilized for adjusting NPAs especially in big corporate accounts and due to this many banks have reported loss. The central government in the name of reforms is implementing many anti-people and anti-working policies and due to that our hard earned rights especially job security, defined working hours and other service conditions are under attack. As a literate class, we cannot remain isolated and we have to align with the working class movement of the country in opposing all these wrong polices. He also requested the youngsters who are all well educated to develop social consciousness. In the name of superstitions many unwanted things are practiced today. We should have progressive views and shun those practices. Finally he requested the youngsters to fully take part in all the programmes conducted by the trade unions to protect our hard earned rights. Com.M.V. Rajan, Vice-President, Tamilnadu Bank Employees' Federation spoke on the history of our national organization AIBEA. At the outset, he expressed his happiness to see such a huge gathering of youngsters including women employees. In his speech, he spoke in 1

2 detail about the banking industry that prevailed during pre-independence period, formation of trade unions during British rule in the country, plight of bank employees during that period and the formation of AIBEA in the year 1946 at Kolkata. He also spoke on the wages and service conditions of the bank employees' right from tribunal era to the 10th bi-lateral settlement. He also said that our AIBEA is not only taking care of the welfare of bank employees but also fighting against the unwarranted banking sector reforms pursued by the central government, which is affecting the banking industry. He requested the youth members to develop a sense of comradeship and unity at the branch level. Before concluding his speech he said that just like a human being for whom both eyes are equally important similarly the employees should treat the bank as one eye and the union as another eye. Both should be preserved, protected and taken forward for our well being. Com.S.M.Meenakshisubramanian, General Secretary, Coimbatore District Bank Employees' Association offered his felicitation. He appreciated the union for conducting such type of youth meet at various centres. He said that today many youngsters are joining the banking industry and we from the union have to give more focus for them in integrating them into the mainstream trade union movement. He also appealed to the members to fully participate in all the programmes conducted by CDBEA. Utilising this meeting, the annual subscription for the District Association collected from our members working in Coimbatore was handed over to Com.Meenakshisubramanian amidst thunderous applause by our members. Com.C. Vimalrajj, Secretary spoke on the history of our Union KVBEU. In his detailed speech he traced the background of formation of our union in the year 1959 by few comrades working in Madurai braving the attacks of the management. He said that one of the founder members of our Union Com.S. Narahari who was the Ex-President of our Union attended our Union conference at Trichy in December 2016, despite his old age. Com. Vimalrajj also said that during the formative years, our TNBEF had helped us a lot by deputing leaders to guide our union. During this period, we have achieved many benefits, entered into various settlements with the bank management for the benefit of all the members. He further said that our leaders are not confining their activities in our union alone. Rather they are active in various district associations and also held position in various State Federations. In the year 1995 when the bank management dismissed a lady employee by invoking the provisions of Sastry Award, union had plunged into direct action and later on that lady comrade was reinstated into the bank. Apart from taking care of the welfare of the members, union along with OA is running a Co-operative Thrift and Credit Society which is taking care of the financial needs of our members. He requested the youth members to have faith and confidence on our union which is protecting their interest. Com.D. Arumugam, Vice-President spoke on the various important settlements signed by the union with the management during these years. He said so far union and management had signed 104 MOUs through which various facilities / benefits are extended to the members. He further said that union had brought out a booklet "Compendium of Benefits available to workmen in KVB" which contains the details of our internal settlements (both monetary benefits and loan facilities), salient features of our 10th bi-partite settlement and also important circular references. He informed that the book is sold at a subsidised price and requested the Comrades to purchase the same. With this the morning session concluded by 2.00 p.m. After lunch the interactive session of the youth members commenced at 2.45 p.m. Following are some of the important points raised by the members. Inter-personal relationship at the branch level needs improvement. Eventhough work is completed, due to delay in authorization by Officers especially in cash section, the working hours get elongated. 2

3 Availing of leave even for 1 or 2 days is becoming very difficult even though advance information is given to the branch management. Some branch managers are advocating that since second and fourth Saturdays are holidays, leave will not be granted. Manpower shortage is the reason stated by the Branch Management for denying the leave. For conducting huddle meeting, some branch managers are advising the employees to be present in the branch at 9.30 a.m. itself. In the huddle meetings, personal attack on individual employees and demotivating words are spoken by the branch managers. In the area of concurrent checking if the clerk assigned with concurrent checking work goes on leave, the said work is not allocated to others. Due to this backlog is created and also proper focus and attention is not being given to carry out the concurrent checking work. After the completion of the daily routine work, the concurrent checking work is entrusted and thereby the working hours get elongated. In the branches where permanent sub-staff are not posted, no casual labour is engaged. Due to this the clerks are forced to perform the day to day clerical work and also the work of the sub-staff. Apart from carrying out routine branch work, many new works are entrusted to clerks. Clear cut circular direction from higher authorities is required for carrying out these works. Time and other norms in respect of FIT as per circular instructions are not adhered to in some branches. With regard to sourcing new business, some Branch Managers are exerting pressure on the staff members to daily canvass new accounts and insurance policies. While they are doing the same, they find it difficult to focus exclusively on it as they have to complete the daily routine work also. Com.General Secretary replied for all the points raised by the youth members. He appreciated them for coming out and expressing their views without any inhibition on many issues that they are facing at the branches daily. He requested the members to read both bank as well as union circulars regularly and also not to deviate the laid down systems and procedures. Our Corporate Office is also issuing circulars periodically advising the Kayveebians to strictly follow the systems and procedures without any deviation. If any member is forced by the branch management to violate the same, the same may be brought to our knowledge and the same will be taken up with the concerned authorities for redressal. Com.P. Viswanathan, President summed up the deliberations. He said that he felt very happy to see such a large participation of youngsters including ladies for the meeting. This clearly shows the confidence they are having on the Union. He further said that unity at the branch level is most important. Being youngsters, they have to continuously equip themselves and also abreast of all the latest developments that are taking place in the banking industry. They should regularly read the circulars issued by various departments in Central Office and also the circulars issued by the Union. In the digitalization era, we have to adapt to the changing situation and move forward. Our members should visit our union website regularly. He also said in another one month that is on 3rd September 2018, our beloved Union will be entering into 60th year and before that we should aim to have 100% membership in our Union by enrolling all the non-members and this should be our immediate task. He also requested the youngsters to take part in all the union activities along with the senior members of their branches. 3

4 Com.T. Vasanthakumar, Executive Committee Member proposed vote of thanks and the youth meet concluded at 5.30 p.m. Comrades, the Youth Meet were a successful one. The youngsters have enthusiastically participated in the meeting and also articulated their view points on various issues very effectively. It has also helped the union functionaries to know what is prevailing at the branches. Proper orientation is required for them as they are the future of the bank and the union. With greetings, Yours comradely (I.VENKATESAN) General Secretary AIBEA CIRCULARS CIRCULAR NO. 28 / 67 / 2018 / TO: ALL UNITS AND MEMBERS: Dear Comrades, Good News - Govt. has decided to withdraw FRDI Bill Ever since the Government introduced the FRDI Bill (Financial Resolution and Deposit Insurance Bill) in the Parliament during the winter session of 2016, we have been pointing out that this Bill is an anti-people measure and is another method to bail out the corporate defaulters at the cost of the common depositors. This danger was sought to be perpetrated by adding the 'Bail In' clause in the Bill. This naturally created so much of anxiety and fear in the minds of the common public that their money in the Banks is not that safe and this BJP Government may do anything to endanger their savings. In fact there were huge panic withdrawals and closure of deposits in many branches in various Banks in the wake of the Bill being introduced. In our All India Strike on 28th February, 2017, we highlighted this issue and made people aware of the negative aspects of the Bill. Again, in the All India strike on 22nd August, 2017, withdrawal of FRDI Bill was one of the prominent demands. Further, in our massive Morcha to Parliament programme on 15th September, 2017, we focused this issue prominently and this was one of our important demands when UFBU delegation met the Finance Minister. We have been highlighting that this FRDI Bill is unwarranted since Clause 45 of the Banking Regulations Act provides of merger of an ailing Bank with another Bank and there is no question of liquidating any Bank. We had also explained how this important change in the Act was brought when Com Prabhat Kar was a Member of Parliament in 1962 representing the Communist Party of India. In September, 2017, AIBEA appeared before the Joint Parliament Committee and made its detailed submissions and presentation. We organised countrywide campaign during the entire 2017 and in all the meetings, this issue was highlighted. We approached various political parties and urged upon them to take 4

5 up the issue politically and also in the Parliament. Many political parties - Congress, CPI, CPM, TMC, DMK and many others - opposed the Bill. Since FRDI Bill deals with both banking and insurance sector, the issue was taken up by our CCBIFU and this was very much highlighted in our nationwide Dharna progrmame on 14th July, We also highlighted our viewpoints through social media and could get wide support for the same. The print and news media also covered this issue and our viewpoints and reason for our opposition to the Bill in a big way. That is why the Government was deferring the Bill from Parliament session to another. But looking to the overall protest from all quarters and also looking to the elections next year, the BJP/NDA Government has decided not to go ahead with the FRDI Bill. Few days ago, the Cabinet has taken the formal decision to withdraw the FRDI Bill. Comrades, this is a victory to our movement and our struggle against this Bill. It was a struggle in support of the people at large and to protect the hard-earned savings of the people. It was a struggle against the attempts of the Government to bail out the corporate defaulters at the cost of people's money in the Banks. We recall here the plight of the common people when their precious savings kept in the private banks in those days were lost when hundreds of private banks were closed down due to mismanagement by the owners of these Banks, particularly in Kerala and Bengal. AIBEA took up the issue through agitations and strikes. Com. Prabhat Kar, our great leader and the then General Secretary of AIBEA, being a Member of Parliament took up the matter seriously in the Parliament due to which the safety clause of Section 45 was added in the Banking Regulations Act and Deposit Insurance Corporation was founded to protect the interest of the common Depositors. Thus AIBEA had always been a champion of the people's cause. In the days to come we can expect more and more onslaughts on the banking sector and attacks on people's interest. While we congratulate all our units and members for being in the forefront of this movement in pushing back this anti-people FRDI Bill, we exhort all of you to remain vigilant against emerging challenges and be prepared for further struggles. Our Slogan is People's Money for People's Welfare - Not for Private Corporate Loot. With greetings, Yours comradely, CIRCULAR NO. 28 / 66 / 2018 / 29 TO: ALL UNITS AND MEMBERS: Dear Comrades, Beware - IBC is a route to loot 5 C.H. VENKATACHALAM GENERAL SECRETARY Banking sector has entered a danger zone with non-stop increase in bad loans. Non- Performing Assets in the Banks have reached alarming proportions. It is more than Rs. 15 lac crores. Government has recently admitted in a written reply in the Parliament that there are 9063 Wilful Defaulters who together owe Rs. 1,10,050 crores to the Banks. From AIBEA

6 we have been demanding that atleast the wilful defaulters should be brought under criminal proceedings. This is being deliberately skirted and avoided. Our long pending demand to publish the names of the bank loan defaulters is yet to be accepted by the Government and the RBI. But Government is keen that all types of concessions are showered on these defaulters. No wonder, we allege that there is clear nexus between Government, politicians, bureaucrats, bankers and borrowers. Even in the past also, there have been velvet treatment to the defaulters - one time settlements, interest waivers, compromise settlements, rescheduling, restructuring, CDR, SDR, S4A, provisioning, write off, etc. For the small borrowers, farmers, students, etc. the recovery laws are stringent and they are being unduly harassed. For the big borrowers, it is concessions all the way. Latest is the IBC - Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code. NDA Government has brought this as a mechanism to deal with bad loans. From AIBEA we demand recovery of bad loans. But Government talks of resolving bad loans. IBC is their resolution module. But RBI has already indicated that in this processes there would be steep haircuts. The haircut is clearly visible now. In the case of Bhushan Steels, the loan outstanding referred to NCLT was Rs. 56,000 crores. Tatas have taken over this Company for Rs. 35,200 crores. Thus one NPA account is resolved. Neeraj Singhal of Bhushan Steel is free from the entire loan liability. Tatas have gained by getting the Company worth Rs. 56,000 crores for Rs. 35,000 crores. But Banks have lost Rs. 21,000 crores. That is a haircut of nearly 40%. Then came the Electrosteel Steels deal. The dues to the Banks were Rs. 13,600 crores. Sterlite fame Vedanta has purchased it for Rs. 5,320 crores. Anil Agarwal gained 8,400 crores. Banks sacrificed Rs. 8,400 crores. The haircut is 60%. Now comes the Alok Industry deal. The Company owes to the Banks Rs. 30,000 crores. Reliance takes over the company for Rs. 5,000 crores. Ambani gains Rs. 25,000 crores. Banks sacrificed Rs. 25,000 crores. The haircut in this case is 83%. This is just the beginning. More such deals will follow soon. Government is keen to bailout all these corporate defaulters at the cost of the people's money in the Banks. If this loot is allowed to continue, India may not be a Democratic Republic, it may become a Capitalistic Republic. Beware of this loot. Begin your intensified struggle. Yours comradely, C.H. VENKATACHALAM GENERAL SECRETARY 6