AN OPEN LETTER TO ABOA TRAVANACORE UNIT

As you are aware that ABOA Mysore Unit has passed the resolution to support the merger of State Bank of Mysore with SBI unanimously in its Managing Committee meet held on 21st September 2008 in Bangalore. Though the move of ABOA Mysore Unit to pass such resolution to support merger has been widely acknowledged and welcomed by the officers across the Associate Banks and is widely seen as a result of historic Mumbai meet of ABOA in Mumbai on 30th August2008, the people close to banking trade unions know that such move was already passed by your ABOA Travancore unit more than 1year ago itself.

It is also now a wide belief of the members of ABOA across the Associate Banks that move of ABOA Mysore Unit is nothing but a taking cue from ABOA Travancore Unit. The ABOA Mysore Unit has adopted the same methodology of its Travancore Unit who is successfully able to contain the mass up rise under check for more than a year or so. The modus operandi to tactfully suppress the movement which has now turned out into mass movement across the Associate Banks, in support of merger is one and the same of whether it is ABOA Travancore Unit or Mysore Units and it also confirm that it has been taken at the behest of SBI Federation.

How tactfully since last one year the ABOA Travancore has been suppressing the desire of its officers it is revealed by the actions of the Unit. ABOA Travancore unit has been telling its members that they support merger but dutifully they are forcing its members in all the 8 strikes so far called by ABOA/SBIOF/UFBU against the merger.

This forum on the behalf of its members and also on the behalf of officers of all Abs wants to know what the message ABOA Travancore Unit is trying to give by its continued participation in strikes called against merger despite having passed resolution to support merger long back.

Recent statement of SBI, published in leading dailies, not to merge any other Abs in this financial year has forced us to once again think what compels SBI to take such stands. Global financial crises, what the some newspapers are quoting cannot be the sole reasons of this stands. Rather the global financial crisis is giving the message that it is the time to consolidate.

Already 12 small banks in the US has been closed and latest Washington Mutual bank has finally come into the fold of JP Morgan Chase Bank which is amongst the World’s largest bank. Washington Mutual was having deposit of $182 billion while SBI is having deposit of only $126 Billion. If a bank having a deposit base of $182 billion is not able to survive, we can think of fate of a bank having a deposit base of $126 Billion, more so after opening of banking sector post 2009.

If SBI will not merge all its Abs then they themselves may also fall into difficult situation. In rupee term if SBI with deposit of Rs 537404 crore (as on 31/03/08) will find itself in troubled waters, then we cannot think of survival of a bank with tiny deposit of just Rs24699/-. And for that matter the situation will be same for all the Abs.

ABOA has to reply of

(1) If officers of a bank with of Rs 16168crore deposits (SBS, as on31/03/2008) are fit to take the benefit of 6% housing loan then why it should no be available to officers of a bank with Rs50108 crore (SBH) or Rs35354 crore (SBT) of deposit?

BOPF’s Answer is that since SBS merged with SBI despite their meager (3times less) deposit base they are eligible to get such benefits and officers of all other big Abs can not think of such benefit till merger.

BOPF’s Message is: -- Get merged get cheapest housing loan.

(2)If officers of a bank with a profit of just Rs52crore (SBS profit as on March2008) are enjoying current account overdraft at least possible rate of 6% then why it should not be available to officers of a bank with Rs 557crore (SBH) or Rs386crore (SBT) of profit?

BOPF’s Answer: --Officers of a bank with even 10 times less profit are enjoying the cheap loan as they are lucky in going into fold of SBI while all other are keeping watch on the steps of SBI.

BOPF’s Message is: -- Get merged get cheapest current account overdraft.

(3) If officers of a bank with profit per employee of just Rs74000 (SBS) level takes the benefit of unlimited medical aid then why officers of a bank having profit per employee of Rs4.35lakhs (SBH) or Rs3.40 lakhs (SBT) should be debarred of that benefit?

BOPF’s Answer Officers of a bank with even 6times less profit per employee than its peers are able to take benefit of unlimited medical aid since SBI has acquired them and all other 6 Abs are sitting on the fence to watch the magician gesture of SBI.

BOPF’s Message is: -- Get merged get unlimited benefit.

(4)If officers of a bank with business per employee of just Rs396 lakhs would take the benefit of recent petrol hikes then why officers with business per employees of Rs600 lakhs (SBH) or Rs559 lakhs (SBT) should not get recent hikes in petrol eligibility?

BOPF’s Answer Officers of a bank with less strain and even 2times less business per employees are enjoying recent hikes in entitlements for petrol since they have merged in big bank SBI and all other Abs are not showing conviction of benefit of merger.

BOPF’s Message is: -- Get merged get hike in petrol claim.

(5)If officers of a bank with capital & reserves of just Rs1145 crore would get third benefit why officers of a bank with capital & reserves of Rs2709 crore (SBP) or Rs1718 crore should not get it?

BOPF’s Answer Officers of a bank with even half of capital is enjoying third benefit as it is merged with SBI while rest 6 Abs are even struggling for second benefit.

BOPF’s Message is : -- Get merged get third pension benefit

(6)If officers of a bank with having advance level of just Rs12241 crore are able to save not less than Rs10000-Rs15000 per month on concessional staff loans why it should come to officers of having advance of Rs35849 crore (SBH) or Rs28139 crore (SBT)?

BOPF’s Answer Officer of a bank with even 3times less advance level have shown eagerness to merge with SBI which was missing in all other 6 Abs.

BOPF’s Message is: -- Get merged get saving of over Rs10000/per month.

Finally who should be part of a large landscape (of SBI) whether a bank at the bottom of pyramid or a bank whose performance in terms of profit (of SBH) wise is better than several nationalized bank (like CBI, UCO, PSB, VIJAYA BANK, DENA Bank, Bank of Maharastra, United bank of India)?

STATISTICS OF OFFICERS WHO HAVE DEFIED STRIKE CALLS OF 24TH &25TH September 2008: BOPF SALUTE THEIR HEROIC GESTURE

BOPF proudly announces that the small movement started by handful of officers has taken a mass movement to support the merger. BOPF feels proud that within a short span of just over one month it has been able to give new direction to the bank trade unionism. The role of BOPF as a pressure group has been instrumental in passing of unanimous resolution by ABOA Mysore Unit in support of merger on 21st September 2008.

As per the statistics available through authentic sources, BOPF feel proud that huge number of officers across Associate Banks says big NO to the politically motivated call of the strike of 24th and 25th September 2008, which was meant to halt the merger process of Associate Banks with SBI. The data substantiate this, look at

________________________________________________________________

BANK....................24/09/2008...................... 25/09/2008...........
....................No of...............No of.............No of.............No of...

...................Branches...........Users............Branches........Users
__________________________________________________________

SBM-------.....--- 131-------------- 274 -----...------119---...------- 243
SBH ---.....-------239-------------- 272------.-...----170 ----...-----.255
SBBJ------.....--- 137 --------------196 -------...----100----...------125
SBINDORE --......-33---------------- 63 ------...--.----20 ----...-------30
SBT -------.....----68---------------- 94 ------.-.-...---73 -----...------97
SBP -------.....----37 ----------------56--------...-.----21------...-----29
___________________________________________________________
Total-----.....---645------------.---955--------..--..--503--.....-----779

___________________________________________________________

The above data excludes the officers present in Head Offices, controlling offices, Treasury branches and several officers of big branches (who were present but not logged into the system). It is estimated that around 15-20% officers of SBM have attended branches on the two strike days. In terms of number of branches opened it is estimated that more than 15% of branches has been opened out of total of 644 branches of SBM.

In SBH also the % of total branches opened on strike day one crossed to 20%(of total 1051 branches) while it was more than 16% on strike day two.

The data also states that out of total 4700 branches of Associate banks around 13% of branches (of 5000branches of Abs) functioned on the 1st day of strike while on the second day of strike the percentage of branches opened was around 11% on second day of strike.

We once again salute the heroic non-participation move by the officers of Associate Banks and we firmly believe that this spirit will continue in any strike call given against merger. We also encourage officers to join the forum in large number so that your voice can be heard to the mute officer associations.

OPPOSE ANY STRIKE CALL AGAINST MERGER

TOWARDS THE CHANGE

Friends! Much-hyped strikes of two days have gone to history in the usual manner like earlier strikes. But the difference is witnessed, as fear-factor is significantly subdued. For the second day also more than 100 branches reported to have worked in SBM. Congratulations to each one of the officers who have joined duties on the strike day and saved salary for these days and faced the mirror with great pride.

We are reproducing a letter sent by a senior officer, who has put in more than 30 years of service and held many responsible positions in SBM:

Quote//

I feel/believe as under:

It is not possible for us to survive independently without the LOGO and BRAND EQUITY and capital of SBI. As owners SBI is entitled to have a say in our accumulated Book Value.

Only SBI can sustain the additional expenditure by way of increased wages, perks, pension to all and third benefit and other benefits now being demanded at all India level. WE COULD NOT EVEN GET INTEREST REMISSION ON HOUSING LOANS AND OTHER LOANS IN OUR BANK AS DEMANDED (It is offered by SBI at 6% to its employees). Even if we merge now, only for new loans such lower rates are available. This is one example of effects of delayed merger with SBI.

It is terrible to imagine the effects of delayed merger or no merger. Many PF optees will retire without third benefit. SBI may further delay merger of SBM. Even if they do it, ours may be the last Associate bank to be merged/acquired. Otherwise they may hold us as a Holding Company. If they, as owners, they may sell us also. It will be pathetic to imagine our plight in the post BASEL II scenario, i.e. after March 2009. Some people argue that with such a good intrinsic asset base, SBI cannot afford to loose us. It is self-serving imagination and is self-destructive. Foreign banks, new entrants like Reliance Group, Tatas, etc. may try to enter through inorganic route. They will try to buy out the existing small or ailing banks. By looking at the delaying tactics of young brother, BIG BROTHER may prefer to send us out of their family by selling their stake, which will fetch good lot of money to their Capital Account. Because they want to continue as NUMBER ONE in the post BASEL period also for which they need consolidation and improved market capitalization. They may even acquire another nationalized bank to suit their business needs. It may please be observed that one high-ranking official has told that people at national level want this bank to be out of the scene early, because they want SBI’s reputation to be saved. It is not only shocking and let us accept that we do not have that level of shock absorbing capacity. Having put in 36 years of service in this bank, I feel such a remark cannot be ignored any more. In our own interest we should merge with SBI.

SBI may offer ESOP scheme to its employees to buy their shares. According to me SBI share value will zoom to Rs 2,500 by mid or third quarter of 2009 and will reach Rs 3,500 by 2010 end and afterwards when it is mega bank, it will be anybody’s guess. Had we got interest remission of around Rs 1.50 lakhs at least (from all types of loans on an average) we (officers equivalent to my service) could have bought a site or SBI shares either in small numbers or through SIP route regularly, it would have created wealth for us. ESOP may be a regular feature in any BIG Institution in future with a view to retain talent.

Young/Career oriented officers need to be part of SBI early, very early, very very early.

Merger with SBI is a must and we do not have any other choice. Our ATM, Internet software, etc all belong to SBI. We are using SBI Net and not SBM Net. We are part of centralized funds and FOREX business with SBI at Mumbai. Can we survive without these? Can we think of paying rent in such a building at BKC Mumbai, if we want to function alone? Do we have such an expertise, skilled personnel, material, infrastructure. It is just like separating our own limbs from the main body, if we oppose merger. Our imagination of Maharaja’s Bank does not have the required depth at all India level to get/grab business by competing with other banks. If anybody thinks so, it is like digging ones own grave.

Members were not told clearly why we are opposing merger and what is it we are going to gain from out of such opposition to merger with our own mega Big Brother. It appears to be only to allow UFBU to clinch a deal for the benefit of other banks. Well let them do it. But let the ABOA make it clear that we stand for merger with SBI and we will fight for other issues and demands as listed by all India Level Associations and Unions, which includes us also. Let us understand the pain of SBI Chairman also. We are his younger brothers. He is our big brother who can only help us in our survival by accepting us to his fold.

My appeal to all the office-bearers is that Let us come out of ‘Mysore’, look at ‘India’ and the ‘World’ above all of us.

Unquote//

Fear factor has been fragmented and attacked by brave heart officers and it has made individuals to candidly come out and share their feelings. Such messages are positive aspects of the change, which is inevitable. Change is result of brave, untiring and timely efforts put in collectively. Well begun is half done and beginning is with every individual. Do take the first step and you would be at the doorstep of your destination very soon.

BOPF-VIEWS ON BANK STRIKE OF 24TH AND 25TH SEPTEMBER 2008 (SENT TO MEDIA)

When the US financial crisis has resulted in many of the private institutions to be saved by the Government and it is evident that financial organizations with the public sector suite can only comfortably strive, frequent strikes in public sector banks demonstrates an ironical signal. Bank strikes called by UFBU on 24th and 25th September have caused great inconvenience to the customers of public sector banks. They can withdraw cash through ATMs in cities at many places in spite of non-working of branches, but many a corners of the country do not have access to such delivery channels.

Not even a month has passed when SBI officers have participated recently in strike on 18.08.2008 against the acquisition of State Bank of Saurashtra by State Bank of India. SBI is at the top of banking pyramid and halting of work even for a day raises questions on trade unionism in the bank and will put its competitors at advantageous position. While the Government and the SBI/SBS management were busy in going ahead with the acquisition process, several officers under the aegis of AIBOC have participated in the strike. The strike was quoted very successful by AIBOC, however, as reported by spokesperson of Bank Officers Progressive Forum (A Pressure Group), many branches worked during the last strike. Even the SBS officers, who were by then part of SBI (after the RBI Executive Order dated 13.08.2008) were in an utter dilemma and had to unwillingly participate in the strike having been forced by AIBOC.

Almost all the officers of remaining six Associate Banks are in favour of bank-merger and in the strike of 24.09.2008, many officers have reported to have attended office across the State Bank Group. At Delhi Centre, several officers have attended branches in State Bank of Mysore. In Mumbai, officers of State Bank of Mysore, State Bank of Hyderabad and State Bank of Indore have defied strike and joined duties in Core Data Centre, Belapur. Similarly, 80% of the officers of SBM have come to the office i.e. Treasury, BKC and five branches.

SBI Chairman has agreed to provide all the benefits to the ABs officials at par with that of SBI officials consequent upon merger. Third benefit, unlimited medical aid and concessional loans could easily flow to all of these ABs officers after the merger. But trade unionism has made them deprived of all these benefits carrying the carcass of redundant ideologies. When merger is for the benefit of all, why the office bearers of trade unions are drifting themselves away from the wishes of the members.

BOPF through its blog http://bankofficersprogressiveforum.blogspot.com has been communicating the progressive views to the entire officers fraternity and appealing for not participating in the strike. The blog has changed the obsolete ideologies of trade unionism and instilled courage in the heart of officers of all the Associate Banks. Many officers have attended duty on 24.09.2008 and number is likely to increase on the strike of 25.09.2008.It is a great move by the forum for providing better facilities and would serve their customers in a long way, besides contributing to the organizational development as well as economic upliftment of the country.

Strike the Strike

Our forum salutes to the officers who have come to the branches today. It is told that when mind is not able to ponder, we should listen to our heart. Fear is erasable. Coercion is an external phenomenon lasting for few seconds. Courage is innate and permanent in nature. The changed phenomenon is remarkable. Officers have to take many crucial decisions for the organisation and attending office today was a significant decision, which is beneficial not only for the organisation but also for the individual’s values.

Bravo friends! A new journey was flagged off in Mumbai and it has changed the mindset of ABOA (Mysore Unit) and ultimately a resolution was passed unanimously by our office bearers. Congratulations to the entire officer fraternity and thanks to the office bearers for listening to their members and truly represent their views.

Are you aware? More than 600 branches have reported to be opened in SBI, SBH, SBBJ and SBM today. In SBT and SB Indore also movement against strike is seen. More than 1000 officers across the State bank Group have listened to their heart and reported for duty. All the branches (including Regional Office) of SBM in Delhi were opened today. CDC,Treasury and many branches in Mumbai have also functioned today.Who wants to axe one’s own leg? Strike will thwart the consolidation process. Strike will kill exuberance of the top management and their empathy towards ABs officials will also be smothered. Political parties with vested interest may hijack the movement to fulfill their own wishes.

In such circumstances, let us propagate the message across the country that officers from ABs want merger. Let the SBI top management understand the views of ABs officers. Let them know that officers do not want strike; they want sustainability, they want better package, better avenues and better elevations. As a tiny organisation, we may get bread but not butter.

Friends, the forum once again pays great regard to the officers who have opened the branches or attended offices today and appeals all the officers to spread the message so that other colleagues could also overcome the fear-factor. Fear is really erasable. Let us erase it before it erases us.

We wish that more officers should join for duty on 25.09.2008!
We wish let all officers come out of clutches of fear-factor!!
We wish that let merger dream be a reality!!!

Let democracy prevail in Bank Unions

After passing of pro-merger resolution in the ABOA – Mysore Unit, it is expected that action will follow the resolution to meet the desired goal .The decision of majority of officers to attend offices on 24th/25th of September is an outcome of their belief in democratic system and their awareness of constitutional right, which grants “Freedom of Expression “ to every citizen.

It is noted that the office bearers of ABOA- Mysore Unit called for a meeting in the Head Office to persuade officers to go on strike called by the UFBU in the name of wage revision, for which no clarity is available to members. The office bearers downplayed the “ anti- merger agenda “ of the strike, but this agenda has been prominently reported in today’s Newspapers across the country.

Our Forum is of the view that the Mysore Unit of ABOA should not follow the SBT model, where the association has taken a pro-merger stand almost an year back, but have kept on participating in every strike opposing merger. And the result is evident to everybody. On the other hand the union of SBS got the resolution passed both in the SBS and in the SBI and are part of the larger SBI as on date. Hence by persuading officers to go on strike in the name of unity of trade unions, the officers are forced to delay the achievement of desired goals.

The Forum has got reports that the GS of SBP-unit of ABOA has castigated aspersions on the GS of ABOA- Mysore Unit for yielding to members’ demand and for passing pro-merger resolution on 21st’september. The forum condemns the un-parliamentary behavior of the GS of the SBP- unit of the ABOA and challenges him to seek mandate of the officers of SBP on the merger issue, otherwise quit his office.

No dictatorial threat should be given to stop the democratic process initiated in ABOA – Mysore unit. It is also noted with concern that some senior officers at the behest of certain disgruntled office-bearers of Mysore unit have tried to force some junior officers to go on strike. The Forum appeals to such senior officers to desist from such activities, which may be considered as attack on fundamental right of the junior officers and also an act of preventing them to carry out their duty under a public sector under Government control.

Let Democracy and democratic behavior prevail among the officers and employees of the Banking Industry, otherwise the trade unions will wipe out the very reason of their existence as they are meant for protection of their members from tyranny of others and not for becoming tyrants themselves.

ABOA MYSORE UNIT SAYS YES TO MERGER WITH SBI

And finally truth prevails.

Truth that each and every SBMites wants the immediate merger of our beloved bank with SBI.

Truth that each and every hearts of SBMites accepted that without merger we are at great economic loss of more than Rs10000/per month since March’2008.

Truth that each and every SBMites knew that his survival post 2009 will be ensured in big organization like SBI.

Truth that it is better to merge with an organization, which in all terms similar to SBM rather than to merge with Private Banks.

In a historic meet on 21st of September 2008, of all of its Managing Committees members, ABOA Mysore Unit has passed resolution to support the merger of SBM with SBI. Calling for the meet and passing a resolution to support the ongoing merger process was unique and path breaking in the history of State Bank of Mysore Officers Association, in the sense that it was a unanimous decision to support the cause which each and every member of the unit wanted to come true.

Barring, the oldies like the treasurer of ABOA Mysore Unit who had withdrawn himself in the middle of the meeting owing to his unknown beliefs and the organizing secretary’s old and outdated thought could not convince even his peers like Chairman of ABOA Mysore Unit, the decision to support the merger will act as guiding star for rest 6 of the Associate Banks.

The meet has come out with another important resolution regarding non-participation in the indefinite strike call proposed to begin from 20th October given by SBIOF against merger. The MC was also unanimous in electing Mr. Koppal Nagraj, as General Secretary of the ABOA Mysore Unit, post retirement of the present GS in April 2009.

On the issue of incoming immediate strike of 24th and 25th of September, MC was of the view that it is the left to the judgment of individual members to participate in the said strike or not and Association has taken a neutral view on this strike.

ABOA Mysore Unit has also decided to take into confidence the Union of award staff in State Bank of Mysore on the issue of merger. Consensus has also been reached to meet the SBI Chairman to convey the willingness of the officers of the SBM for merger with the SBI.

In view of the recent developments of passing clear resolution by ABOA Mysore Unit’s, participation in the incoming strike of 24th and 25th September 2008, by the Officers of State Bank of Mysore does not have any meaning at all. The future call of any strike on the issue of merger also has lost its relevance.

For the officers of State Bank of Mysore, it has become all together more important to make any strike against merger unsuccessful, as it will clear the path of merger.

Please don’t be carried away by the chameleon behaviour of UFBU leaders whose main agenda at the time of calling for the strike was to stop merger process of Associate Banks and now they have turned their emphasis on pension. When Associate Banks are getting third option after merger where is the need to go for strike for second option?

Observation of Bank Officers Progressive Forum (BOPF) on the recent development: -- BOPF welcomes the unanimous stand taken by the ABOA Mysore Unit on the issue of supporting merger. All the members of BOPF also congratulate the new General Secretary who will be in charge post retirement of the present G.S.

BOPF reiterate its short-term commitments of mobilizing the support for merger of Associate Banks with SBI and the Forum will take lead in all such effort as it has done so far in the short period since its inception.

BOPF encourages all other Units of ABOA to pass such resolutions to support the merger process as done by the ABOA Mysore Unit. Forum also reiterates that strike call of 24th and 25th September is politically motivated and is against merger of Associate Banks.

Forum also acknowledges that huge momentum has been generated across the Associate Banks and more particularly in SBM and SBBJ besides SBT over non-participation on the forthcoming strike. Forum is in talks with other Associate Banks officials to mobilize non-participation in the strike.

Make the strike of 24th & 25th September unsuccessful as it is against merger.

Attend the office and encourage your staff to attend the office on 24th & 25th September.

MEETING OF OFFICE BEARERS IN CONNAUGHT PLACE BRANCH, NEW DELHI

In the word of officers, who have attended the Delhi meet of few office-bearers of our Associations on 17th September, “ Voice of general officers in the Historic Mumbai meeting of 30th August was again echoed in Delhi meeting also”.

Taking cue from the Mumbai meetings, the GS and another MC Member (and former Chairman of Association) have sensed that officers of Delhi are not ready to listen to anything other than merger.

Though the former Chairman of Association tried to distract officers on the issue of wage settlement but there was consistent demand from the members present that they want to listen about merger issue only. He finally gave the dais to GS only.

Reiterating his pro merger stand, as already manifested in Mumbai and Bangalore meet; GS has lambasted that few office bearers, who in their personal interest are still trying to sabotage the interest of officer’s community. He warned that if this anti merger faction within Associations is not controlled, the Association will go to the DOGS.

GS has told that frustrations in this anti merger group has reached to such a state that they are conspiring against each other.

GS conveyed the officers that benefits of merger has outweighed its negatives and hence we should make conducive environment to negotiate with SBI for maximum benefits to its members post merger.

Delhi meet rocked on the attempt of marginalization of officers in the name of a particular state/region. The members were very angry and wanted to know the name of the office-bearer, who tried to castigate this movement of pro-merger. On this issue, GS apologised that such a thing has happened and at the same time asked the members to forgive the office bearer, who raised the regional remarks over officers.

On the issue of incoming 24-25th September strike GS has told clearly that it is prerogative of the individual officer to participate in the strike or not and that Association will not pressurize anybody in this regard.

GS has gone on telling to extant that this strike was deceived upon them by UFBU/SBIOF for their gains and our leaders are simply wagging their tails to follow those selfish fellows.

GS had the occasion of talking to SBI DMD, who was of the opinion that though SBI is giving everything but initially after merger, some promotional hiatus may be there for Associate Banks officers. In the words of GS the issue of the promotions is very contentious and it need to be handled very carefully.

Bank Officers Progressive Forum’s remarks on the Delhi meet

We maintain that on the issue of merger there is unanimity among officers of all the Associate Banks. We reiterate that more than 99.999% of employees of Associate Banks want immediate merger. We also maintain that in view of global meltdown of financial market and recent fall of huge institutions in Western countries, it is high time that Government should take the consolidation process in banking industry at top most priority. Merger of Associate Bank will clear all the hitches of the merger process of other PSU Banks.

BANK OFFICERS PROGRESSIVE FORUM COMPLETED ONE MONTH

Dear Readers,

Greetings of the season.

You are aware that Bank Officers Progressive Forum, a pressure group within Association, was formed on 16/08/2008 and recently completed its first month.

During this first month there was overwhelming response from officer’s fraternity. Huge membership of the forum has been enrolled till date and large many officers have given consent to join forum shortly. Response from other Associate Bank officers was also overwhelming and several memberships from other Associate Banks have already been received.

We have also received lot of comments, articles, queries & mails in our mail id bankofficersprogressiveforum@gmail.com. Many of these thought provoking articles/comments are also published in our blog http://bankofficersprogressiveforum.blogspot.com.

We thank all the members for their valuable contributions to this Forum in spite of their busy schedule. In fact, lot of mails was received from officers to provide all necessary support to make this movement successful. In the first month we have kept our strategy intact, which will also be our strategy in short term, as follows:--

1.Not to participate in any strike if it is called against merger and consolidation in banking industries.

2.In view of impending merger of Associate banks to work for clinching maximum benefits for its members Post-Merger.

The Forum immediate objective is to canvass officers to support merger and make necessary environment so that merger of rest 6 Associate Banks gets completed before next general elections in country. To achieve the said objectives, this Forum invites articles/strategies from its members on the above mail address (bankofficersprogressiveforum@gmail.com).

Our leadership is in constant touch with the like minded officers of other Associate Banks so that a new breed of leadership should emerge in big SBI which will not only cater the needs of officers of Associate Banks but will take the broader stand of pro reform agenda to make SBI really strong enough to make it a global financial leader.

We are in the process of cleansing the rusted trade union ship from Banking.

Comradely yours,

Blog Managing Committee

DEMOLITION DRIVE OF BANKS OF PRINCELY ORIGIN IS ON

With completion of data merger of SBS, finally a 103-year-old legacy of a princely state bank has been shrunk in the pages of history. The 13th September 2008 has stamped itself as a historical day to get it recalled in the history of Indian banking as the day when 1/7th part of the wheel wagon of merger process of 7 Associate Banks of SBI, has been completed successfully.

Princely status of a Public Sector Bank (S.B.S.) has finally sublimed into a larger canvas of ‘INDIA’. Finally the wait of some 7000 employees carrying the burden of a princely honor, ironically in an Independent India, has come to an end. It is a happy moment and a moment of joy, which will kindle the hope of other six (read Abs) who are also waiting in the queue to be part of an ‘INDIA’.

A 103 old institution has been submerged in an institution of over 200 years. A small tributary river of has finally merged into main course of big river. Mind boggling over 10400 branches of big ‘INDIA’ is still growing off course this time by a small number, but this is just opening of a long innings. A comparatively young organization is going to support an elderly organization to make the elder one once again as young and as energetic to fight incoming ‘firangi’ banks post 2009.

It is happened in simple way without any fanfare.

The first in the series of amalgamation process has been completed even without any charismatic leader like the our great Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel who has created history with integration of princely estates in Independent India. It is an integration of Banks of Princely states, which was due since the nationalizations of the banks in 1969.

Though for last more than one year few Jaychands and Mirzafars have tried hard to derail the merger process but finally truth prevails. Belief of thousands of people prevailed that even if small is beautiful to look but when question of survival comes, people enthuse faith in size as it gives feeling too-large-to-fall.

Belief have been strengthened that prince and traces of princely states looks goods in fort and fortresses only and independent India has to come out of the shadow of the princely states as the WORLD is now turning into a GLOBAL VILLAGE.

There is absolutely no place to carry the legacy of princely states through banks, which are serving millions of poor people of India, after 51years of independence. And as such the institution carrying any trace of legacy of princely states should be merged into the big ‘INDIA’.

SAY YES TO MERGER AND NO TO STRIKE AGAINST MERGER

WHY WE SHOULD NOT PARTICIPATE IN STRIKE OF 24TH AND 25TH September?

1.We should not participate in strike since it will halt the merger process of Associate Banks with SBI. The main purpose of calling the strike is to halt the merger process of Associate Banks with SBI. Clever mix of some non-issues has been added so that members get confused. Since more than 99.99% of the employees of ABs wants immediate merger of Associate Banks with SBI, why to give wrong signal to Government?

2.We should not participate in strike since Hoda Committee and Raghuram Rajan Committee is in the interest of Indian economy and will increase the depth of financial markets in India .

3.We should not participate in strike since scrapping of section 12(C) of BR Act (one of the demand of the strike is not to scrap Sec12© of BR Act) is not going to effect employees. Why to go on strike on the regulatory issue of capital raising norms, preference share, voting rights etc? Moreover these are not related to PSU Banks.

4.We should not participate in strike since it will harm wage negotiation. Time is not to confront but to have a dialogue with Government. In the election year and aftermath of good mood of Government after winning the nuclear issues, going on strike will actually hamper the pending wage revision. We should not participate in strike and give signal to the Government that at such critical juncture PSU Bankers are with Government.

5.We should not participate in strike since Central Government employees have got good deal in 6th Pay Commission without going a single day strike. Bank leaderership has lost negotiation skills.

6.We should not participate in strike since strikes are not giving any conspicuous results. When indefinite strike of April 2006 in SBI has not results into any marked achievements except small benefit in improvement in ceiling on basic pension, then why once again strike?

7.We should not go on strike since it is call given with political intention and fuelled by parties who are thrown out from Government.

LET NOT ALLOW ANBODY USE YOU FOR POLITICAL AMBITION

Make Strike Call OF 24th & 25th Sept Unsuccessful by non-participation

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE?

Implication of the reports of the Deccan Herald, dated 07/09/08:

This state of affairs, where we are not sure of the future of our organization is due to total disregard of the interests of the officers by the office bearers of the ABOA. Despite the fact that every office bearer accepts in private that merger will be beneficial for every officer, they have kept on fighting against it for their personal benefits in the short run. Instead of coming forward for a healthy and fruitful dialogue with the Central Office, they have carried forward a war against merger by forcing innocent members of the ABOA to go on a number of strikes during past 16 months. The participations by the officers in these strikes have created misgivings in media that the officers of Abs in general do not want consolidation. This notion is wrong as almost all officers of ABs want to be the part of larger / stronger SBI.

Implications, if the media reports turn out to be true

1.Are we ready to be sold? If not merged / acquired by the SBI, the three associate banks may be left out either to fetch business on their own in highly competitive environment without the “state bank” name/ its blue “logo” or can be put on the sale by the SBI to shore up its own capital base. By selling the listed shares of these banks, the small percentage (less than5%) of share of the three banks floated in the market will fetch over Rs5500 crore to capital-starved SBI. The other fixed assets held by these three banks would be sold like hot cake, which will help SBI to take a berth in top 25 banks ameliorating its position from the present 57th rank among top 1000 banks of world. The process would be easier by way of private placements / strategic sale of public shares of these three listed Abs by SBI.

2.Are we ready to be engulfed by Vijaya/Syndicate/Central Bank or corporates feuds like Ambanis? In case of divestment of stake in these Abs by SBI, these banks may face acquisitions by PSBs like Vijaya / Syndicate /Central Bank etc or by any private sector Bank like ICICI Bank/ Karnataka Bank/ Yes bank etc. Given, the opening up the financial sector post 2009. There is a likelihood that even the business houses like TATAs, BIRLAs, AMBANIs, RUIAs etc may come forward to take over these banks. Raghuram Rajan committee recommendation clearly spelt out that post 2009, small under performing (mind it any bank can be declared under- performer) PSU banks should be sold out to private banks. Uday Kotak, CEO of Kotak Mahindra Bank has been found telling that post 2009, Government will allow stake purchase in PSU banks by Private Banks. We have to decide whether we should sacrifice the housing loan, personal loan at 6% and plethora of other benefits after merging with SBI or survive in shaky PSBs where benefits are at lowest possible level and working conditions are appalling.

3.Are you ready to give away State Bank Group status in society? Working in State Bank group has been prestigious and beneficial to the officers of entire State Bank Group. Every officer / Employee of State bank Group has lived with each other as members of a large joint family. There have been similarities in style of functioning, organizational behavior and expected responses. All these will go away in one stroke in any kind of organization restructuring outside the State Bank Group. The trauma of working under different work ethics and different organizational culture will have damaging effect on individual officer of these three listed associate banks.

4.If not, then your survival will be ensured by the size of the bank only In the given context of modern banking; it is very difficult to remain afloat by small banks across the world. We have already seen more than 10 small banks’ closure in US in last one year (11th is Silver State Bank of Henderson, Nevada in US, the latest bank collapsed on September6th). Even after writing off several billion of dollars in loss assets, big banks like Citibank, UBS AG, HSBC still survives the shock of sub prime mortgage crisis. Size really matters. It has become crystal and clear that capital is the critical factor in modern banking due to stiff capital adequacy norms adopted by regulators, which to small banks like SBM will be a daunting task to arrange for. Even to continue the business of erstwhile SBS, SBI had to infuse capital of Rs 175 crore in SBS during financial year 2007-08. The same situation may prevail with any of the Associate Banks. Even SBI may face the paucity of capital post 2009; forget about small banks whose survival itself would be at stake.

All the points enumerated above require serious thought and soul searching by every officer of these three associate banks. It is believed that all the officers of these associate banks want merger, but have been dissuaded from expressing their willingness in the open. Now, the time has come, when every officer should come forward and vehemently force the office bearers of ABOA to communicate their willingness to the boards of the respective banks and the central office. ABOA must be persuaded to play an effective role to ensure that these three associate banks be merged with SBI at the earliest.

Now, the officers’ fate vis-à-vis the choice of future organization lies in their own hands. It is the duty of each officer of these three Abs to communicate his or her favour for merger to one’s association and to the top managements of these Abs and also to the chairman of SBI.


ACT BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE

OUR SURVIVAL WILL BE ENSURED ONLY WITH MERGER WITH SBI

DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN ANY STRIKE AGAINST MERGER OF PSU BANKS


Make the Forthcoming Strike of 24-25TH September unsuccessful and give signal of pro-merger to Government and market

Please Visit: --
http://bankofficersprogressiveforum.blogspot.com/
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Having been fiercely persuaded by the agitated officers in Mumbai meet on 30.08.2008, our General Secretary, ABOA (Mysore Unit) has agreed on a unified appeal, a sort of referendum against any move affecting smooth-merger of SBM with SBI.

We are aware that SBI has stopped all the benefits viz. staff loans – housing, vehicle and c/a overdraft with the lowest interest rate, recent hike in petrol-reimbursement etc. as they are irked by frequent strike calls against merger. Undoubtedly, our stability and existence can be protected only in big organisation like SBI in the present trend of opening up of banking sector. We also know that SBI has provided third benefit along with interest to SBS officers from the date of joining to SBS. They are also offered all the benefits, which are presently provided to SBI officers.

To protect our interest, you are requested to sign the appeal-letter appended below and send it to General Secretary, Association Office, ABOA (Mysore Unit), Avenue Road, Bangalore – 9 under copy to CC Member of your area. Please call to Association office at 080-22354006,22267677,22261304 in support of merger and fax your merger support letter to 080-22382902


APPEAL-LETTER

To,
General Secretary,
ABOA (Mysore Unit)

Dear Sir,


I, ……………………………………., employee no………………., designation………

……………presently working in State Bank of Mysore, ………………… Branch, am in

favour of merger/acquisition of State Bank of Mysore with State Bank of India and would

not be participating in any of the strike (including two-day strike of 24-25th

September, 2008) called against the merger/acquisition.




Signature of the officer

Thinking Beyond

Reforms in Financial Sector will bring tough competition

Reform in financial sector envisages opening of the sector for private participation and allowing FDI to increase stakes in financial institutions. This also implies adoption of better risk management measures and introduction of new financial products in order to ensure depth and breadth of the market. It is evident that the Government is the crusader of reforms and new generation politicians/bureaucrats also advocate similar or even more aggressive reform era.

Do we ever try to understand what would be the fall out of all these changes and how well an officer, having career of more than 15 years to follow, is prepared to take challenges posed by the reforms? Are we ready to see ourselves 15 years down the line, in the manner we have been viewing the disgusted colleagues/subordinates around us and blaming unions for this ruptured behaviour? We always thought that the branch would have been better place to work without them.

Protection results in inferiority and inferiority complex eats away the soul and courage.

This would demand constructive role to be played by association

Association policies are now completely outdated as these were framed when the economy was purely run to pursue the social (political?) agenda and competition was not a threat for existence of each other. An efficient company was taxed/restricted so that it could not grow and inefficient one was bailed out without doing justice to anybody. A “Matrix” was created by “Architect” to serve the purpose of the “GODS” of “The Matrix”. Communism at their best.

Now the Matrix is broken and suddenly the rules of the game are different than what it used to be. Lover of old rules can not even cry foul as their existence is dependent on his acceptance to new rules only.

Has association ever tried to know the new order of the days? Do they have any vision in context of economic reforms? Have they ever bothered how do their members feel when new products/ systems are placed in place of old one which itself is not well understood by the officers. Is competition bad for the sector? Is merger bad for bank and its stakeholders? Why association is afraid of inviting new ideas? Have they not become the new “Matrix” to fulfill unknown desires of their “GODS”?

Reform hopes for a new age association.

Present Leadership doesn’t have vision and personality

Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Sometimes we feel that the Association leaders command more respect than the political leaders though the number of followers may be limited in number. Many Association leaders are elected unanimously. They are revered and feared like gods of ancient civilization.

Unjustified “Matrix” has given the chance to raise uncivilized Gods.

Vacuum exists when opposite forces counter each other with equal forces. Leaders with new vision and Personalities with substance will break the vacuum and they would lead to realize the dreams of all stakeholders of the bank.

Complete Overhauling of Format, Structure and Components of Association

The base of unionism in this country is completely influenced by the ideology of communist party. We would like to make it very clear that communism was not a social reform but a financial reform. It tried to influence the society without understanding the nature of human being. Communism in its raw form was never accepted.
- It was intended to reject all sorts of personal assets.
- One can have wife/husband and children and nothing else.
- All types of assets generated/created by a human being belong to State and not to the person.
And when people become de-motivated to generate more assets he/she was threatened, forced against his/her will to work for the state. Therefore human element is not visible in the theory and practice of communism. Since a society is formed by sheer dynamism of individual characteristics which is in stark contrast of communist theory which says that Society should be controlled by only one human possession i.e. assets.

Reasons are very clear why communist leaders are more power-centric and seek for a strong and unjustifiable State.

Let leaders of new Association tender resignation after completing two or three terms in the office. Let young vibrant and enthusiast leaders replace the old leaders.

Let management take Association as a serious stakeholder who should be equally responsible and committed to lead the bank to a new height. Mutual growth is the mantra of new age association.

The entire country has decided to see towards west and when we bankers are just turned ourselves to the west leaders are asking to take left turn. What a precarious situation! Present leadership is not fighting for our cause - they are fighting against the country.

Congruence in policy, which has got support of public of the country, would bring synergy. This alignment in policies would definitely help the association in bringing desired benefits to its members.

CONSOLIDATION WILL SAVE PRIVATISATION

Mixing up the issues and not reaching to a conclusion - we Indian enjoy very much. Several issues we tie up, make it a bundle and expect that they should be sold like hot cake in the similar fashion as MBOs - structured products being sold out in USA a year ago. It is worth mentioning that despite of being at paramount level of financial innovation, bundling the mortgages and ultimately hiding the risk has finally resulted in sale of “Bear Stern” and closure of several financial institutions in US.

In the trade unionism, particularly in PSU Banks trade unionism, the herd-like behavior is more rampant. Members of these bank trade unions have umpteen beliefs in their trade union leaders. These umpteen beliefs give unlimited powers to these trade union leaders- be it welfare of the bank employees or the interest of bank itself and finally, forces these leaders to take their members for granted.

Though one cannot deny that historically these bank unions have saved their members from the clutches of draconian managements prevailing during those days and given their members some benefits of collective bargaining due to which at one time bank officers were reaping the benefits better than those of their peer IAS cadre officers.

But time has changed now

Post liberalization these bankers are loomed to have eschew themselves from the benefits of the liberalization. Officers of PSU Banks are waiting at the bank of the shallow river of hope whereas their colleagues in private/ foreign banks are taking the driver seat in enjoying all the benefits.

Peanut salary, minute yearly increment, slowest possible promotional opportunities, frequent transfers, risk of getting entrapped to frauds for someone’s mistakes, chances of advances turning NPAs and accountability fixed therein, running from pillar to post for deposit-mobilisation……..all these are adding woes to the PSU bank officers.

If a survey is conducted on these beleaguered officers of PSU banks, it would not be surprising to find most of them at the risk of heart attack or weight gain or disease like cancers. It appears that bank unions and their leaders have stopped seeing seriously the plight of their members. It is quite appalling that these leaders have been observed to put up their whole of energy in the matters, which are not supposed to be their area.

Few Modern (at least for name sake) Indian banking trade unions have been baking their breads by forcing themselves in some unchartered territories. Merger and privatization are the two issues, which they want to sell like hot cakes to their members. They are awry of the threats like merger and privatization as these will put an end to the their business that they were doing all these years without being questioned by any one.

It is altogether most disgusting to see that instead of playing a role what the trade unions are playing elsewhere in the world, our bank trade unions are keeping their eyes closed and misleading their members. Instead of following a model example of TATA-Corus merger and the role played by trade unions in that direction, our banking trade unions are led by a few Leaders, having only two prime issues: one is Merger and another Privatization. How long they can keep themselves in oblivion that both these are contradictory?

HOW CONSOLIDATION WILL SHIELD AN ORGANISATION FROM PRIVATIZATION?

If merger process is augmented with the merger of small PSU banks with big PSU banks, automatically those small banks will be saved of any hostile takeover post 2009. Sale of small under performing banks to the private banks has already been mentioned in Raghuram Rajan Committee report.

It has been proved in USA and Switzerland that BIG Banks like Citi Bank, Bank Of America and UBS AG have not succumbed to hostile takeover by other institutions despite having written down more than $349 billion (approximately Rs1535600crore at1$=Rs44) of their assets in sub prime mortgage crisis, on the contrary more than 7 small banks of US have been either closed down or sold to big banks.

“A big and large entity resists and does not succumb easily to any hostile takeover.”

Lehman Brother (a big investment bank of USA) was able to bring an equal amount of capital on the same day when it has declared losses. The big organization still enforces belief in the mind of investors, and hence small PSU banks need to merge before 2009.

At the time when all PSU Banks Chiefs (except PNB Chief) have urged through IBA to bring down Government stake in PSU Banks to 26%, consolidation will save the small banks.

So if you are opposing merger means you are throwing the small banks in the hands of some private industrialists.

Both merger and privatization are threats to the businesses of few stubborn leaders, who have been given certificates to run this business for their whole life. It has culminated into divorce of this leadership from issues of benefits of their members and tie up with the issues like merger and privatization.

It is worthy to note here that in the last one-year we have participated 6 times in such strikes on the issue of merger and privatization and lakhs of officers have lost their salaries without any fruitful result.

It is interesting to note that when left was supporting the Government, our trade unions, were not able to clinch any such demand against merger and now when left is not seen anywhere they want to fight against the Government on the issue of merger. These unions are showing a never-fulfilling dream to the members that Government/SBI will stop the consolidation process in the country once they go for strikes. How long this myopia would be surmounting in the banking atmosphere that is ripe to plant and nurture the merger?

CONSOLIDATION IS IN THE INTETREST OF FRAGILE INDIAN BANKING: LET US OPPOSE ANY ANTI MERGER MOVE BY FEW ASSOCIATION LEADERS WITH VESTED INTEREST NEGLECTING THE MEMBERS' CAUSE

ABOA meet in Mumbai on the 30th August, 2008

ABOA has convened a meet of Officers of Mumbai on Saturday 30th August 2008 at Matunga in Mumbai. The entire Executive Committee of 10 office bearers, comprising of the Chairman, the General Secretary (GS) and other office bearers of ABOA Mysore Unit had come to address Mumbai officers in view of unsuccessful strike of 18th August. The official agenda of the meet was to discuss the issue of merger. The anxious office bearers were cordially invited to the dais and felicited. More than 100 officers of Mumbai and neighboring town Pune were present at the venue.
1.As per the GS, office bearers of erstwhile SBS have complained about treatment of SBS officers in SBI. One of the officers has interrupted “Since ABOA Saurastra unit, instead of demanding various benefits from SBI, have been going on strike and that is why they were not able to clinch any benefit. And situation has come to that extent that delighted SBS union (and not ABOA Saurastra Unit) after getting almost all their demand have consoled the officers of SBS that they will help them to clinch all the benefits. It is shameful on the part of ABOA Saurastra Unit that have thrown their members in sea without any life jacket”.
2.The GS has expressed the inability of ABOA (Mysore Unit) to reach on consensus on the issue of merger and has accepted that ABOA (Mysore Unit) has not taken serious view on the issue of merger. Failure to converge the opinions on the issue of merger has given confusing signal to the member officers.
3.Members were very furious over the issue of threatening of officers by some MC Member/ Assistant Secretary (mentioning individual names), who had threatened innocent officers of dire consequences if they won’t participate in the strike of 18th August. The issue of castigating regional remarks by one of the Assistant Secretaries rocked the meeting. The agitated and angry officers of Mumbai have demanded for immediate resignation of the concerned MC Member/ Assistant Secretary and apology from them. The GS has told that there is a process of maintaining discipline in the Association and has stated that there is no place of cast, creed or regional remark in Association. He also told that if anybody uses such means it would not be accepted. But it was shameful that in spite of repeated demands from officers of Mumbai, such culprits and killers of democracy in trade unionism did not come forward to apologies to the members who have elected them.
4.The answer given by GS on the question as to why despite strong pro-merger sentiments of its members ABOA is not supporting merger and the inability of the GS in tackling the matter at the Apex level AIBOC / UFBU, was not acceptable to the members. Members also objected to the acts of blindly following the instructions of its apex organizations (to whom ABOA is affiliated) without consulting its member. Members have reminded that any trade union’s foremost concerns are the benefits of its members, and they wanted to ascertain whether ABOA is working for the benefits of its members or for the benefits of the self seeking office bearers of ABOA or its apex trade union bodies?
5.Members have enquired that when in the meet of 16th August in Bangalore, the GS had promised that the strike call of 18th August would be the last strike call against merger and any subsequent call on merger issue, will only be after holding referendum among the members, then why suddenly strike call of 24th and 25th September has been given once again? Agitated and angered members have declared that they won’t participate in any further strike against merger, then entire E.C. has gone on the back track. Members of E.C. were not having any clue about how to convince agitated members on the issue of forthcoming strike call. Members have criticized the Committee on the lack of conviction among the representatives on major issues. The members enquired the EC members as to why they are not convinced of merger, which is for the benefit of the members only and which, Government, RBI and SBI all are determined to do.
6.There was a deadlock, as members have vigorously demanded the E.C. to go for referendum. But due to the ill and selfish mentality of few E.C. members, E.C. was not coming out for referendum and the ice was broken by the GS who tried to convince both the E.C. members as well as the agitated officers about some the middle path. GS has asked that each member should send his / her consent to the Association through their local M.C. member by taking official acknowledgement from them, and an advance copy may be forwarded to the Chairman / the GS of the Association. Dissented members enquired that despite more than 1700 officers have already sent their consent, a fact acknowledged by the GS, then why it has not been considered as consent of the majority of members for merger? According to the GS, due to some technical hitches raised by some E C members (God knows what?) they are not calling for any referendum.
7.Members have shown disinterest to listen the stale stories of the Chairman. One of the Officers has got up and interrupted “ Sir, please do not start with your usual style of SBM with more than 90 years…, figures like profit, NPA, etc…We have heard enough of this, if any thing else you have to say regarding merger please start”. ”. He was speechless for 2-3 minutes and regaining his composure started with “We have clinched benefits of raising Briefcase limit and Petrol limit” There was laughter all around and comments like “These are the only benefits which our leaders are fighting for. Had we merged with SBI we would have got all these benefits from day one including housing loan of Rs 20 lakhs”. As our officers had already received the information that the management at Udaipur meet declined the all these benefits, one of the officers asked, “When would we get it?” Chairman confirmed that it would be effective from 01/07/2008 and officers can send their claims.
8.The speech of Chairman was interrupted several times as officers were not willing to listen him on petty issues of brief case and bucket. Finally, the Chairman left his speech midway, as he wanted to be non-committal on all-important issues.
9.Members have repeatedly asked each E.C. member to come out openly on their individual stand on the issue of merger. Despite, repeated plea, NO EC MEMBER came forward to inform whether he favored or opposed merger. The GS did not commit any stand on the behalf of the EC.
10.Member officers were of the view that the trio of’ the Chairman, the Organizing Secretary (OS) and the Treasurer” is opposing merger by tooth and nail. The members were not ready to accept all the ill advocacy of the OS against merger quoting the age-old merger of Banaras State Bank with SBI. The OS tried all his methods of shouting at the members, which were equally responded to in the similar manner by infuriated members.
11.The inability of the OS to convince the members came into picture when members were continuously telling that despite of not asking anything by their officers’ association of erstwhile SBS, the SBI management has extended the benefit to SBS officers with regards to equal treatment in concessional housing loan, and pension benefit to all P.F. optees from the date of joining and it is widely accepted that modern organization can not give dual treatment among its employees.
12.Officers started demanding that the OS should stop talking the entire story and started demanding that the General Secretary should answer all the queries raised by officers. Finally the OS was forced by officers to go back to his seat.
Some of the officers have given astounding speeches, which made the EC speechless. Members have quoted now-a-days strike have lost its relevance due to alternative channels like ATM, Internet banking why we should resort to strikes when the biggest proponents of strikes CPI / CPM, themselves are unsure about the utility of strike calls in the modern context.
13.One member has stated that that the members of the E.C. have reached to such stages of their lives, when loss of salary due to strike does not matter for them as their sons / daughters are employed in foreign and Multinational Companies. They cannot understand the agony of many officers, who have to defer the payment of school’s fees of their children because of wage cuts due to such frequent strikes.
14.One member has quoted when per employee business turnover of SBM is better at 5.02crore than that of SBI’s at 4.56 crore, SBM is having better Net Interest Margin than SBI, and SBM H.O. is as priced equal to Central Office of SBI, why our Association has not gone in terms of barter of benefit with SBI. After all this would have been merger of two healthy banks. Members are of the view that it should be done at the earliest, before the smaller entity loses its vigor in the highly volatile economic situation.
15.On the issue of clinching small benefit like briefcase (which are yet to be cleared by SBI) members have questioned “what is relevance of such minimal hike in briefcase allowance etc when inflation has touched 13%”.
17.The members were determined to have a decision from E.C. over referendum and were ready to discuss the matter whole night if warranted, but the weakness of E.C. and its habit of “not coming out of their selfish mentality of sacrificing member’s interest for their chairs” came into picture and finally meeting ended at about 10.15PM night without any conclusion.
18.Finally it was a devastating experience for the notorious combine of few office bearers, which they never felt that officers could fight so vigorously for their cause.
19.As per direction from the GS, members are requested to send their view for merger and acceptance of merger within next few days, so that the Managing Committee of the ABIOA can arrive at conclusion what majority of officers want and accordingly he can advise the AIBOC/UFBU/AISBOF.
20.Message and learning experience of Mumbai meet: -- Officers should not fear of transfer or promotion while questioning Association leaders and their actions, as the jinx of the fear factor has been broken at Mumbai meet. Officers are making Association and its leaders and not they are making us. Association is a voluntary group of officers and is for protecting the interest of its member and not for acting against those interests.
21.Message to Association office bearers: -- War is on against those who are against merger and if anybody threatens any officer for any issue on strike against merger, then minimum reporting to whom the matter will be referred to will be the Chairman of SBI, and no limit over and above them it may go up to the Finance Minister or the Prime Minister.

The entire discussion took place in an environment; where it was considered that the office bearers of the association had come to sincerely deliberate on the issue. The members kept on asking each individual office bearer about his stand on the issue of merger, which no individual member of the EC revealed, nor was any combined stand revealed. The sincerity shown by the officers of Mumbai was remarkable despite the fact known to them from other units of ABOA that 4 out of 5 office bearers of the Mysore Unit had voted for opposing merger in the executive committee meeting of the ABOA in Udaipur on 29/08/2008.

Now, it is the turn of the members of ABOA (Mysore Unit) to decide on the future course of action on all issues including Strikes.