BENEFITS WITHOUT MERGER WITH SBI?

Please recall the strike call given by ABOA leaders on behalf of All India State Bank Officers Federation, for 24th and 25th of September, and previous strikes held in this regard. Followed by the success of the two-day strike, call was given by AISBOF for indefinite strike in State bank Group from 20th of October 2008. To avert the strike program SBI management held discussion with AISBOF in which ABOA central leaders also participated. As a result, discussions were held with AISBOF, in which ABOA is also a part.

Being officers of Associate Banks, we are more concerned with the demand of “Extension of superannuation and other benefits at par with SBI to the Officers of Associate Banks” Now we have been informed that the strike is withdrawn based on the “satisfactory understanding” reached with the SBI Management. Therefore as a member of ABOA we would like to know from the ABOA leaders regarding the “success” of the said demand.

A quick look at the demands of the strike call ..... Please click here to continue....

A proposal for salary revision in line with that of Central Government Officers

The forum has discussed the issue of pay revision due in the banking industry with a cross section of bankers across the country and has arrived at certain scales in line with the 6th pay revision of the Central Government employees.. It is a fact that market related salaries and bonuses can’t be available to the PSBs' officers due to the expectation, of discharging social obligation, from them in a developing economy like ours. The bankers expect to get salary in line with the bureaucracy. Hence, it should be linked with the salaries of officers in the central government in equivalent positions. The forum is also of the view that the D.A. should also be paid in line with the central government employees.

The concept of grade pay be introduced in the PSBs in line with the respective pay bands. The forum proposes that the officers of the PSBs , from JMGS I to TEGS VII , be placed in pay band 3 and pay band 4 along with the respective grade pay. The JMGS I salary has to start with the starting pay of Group “A” officer and TEGS VII should be getting upto the maximum of pay band 4.

Central Government’s Pay Fixation:

The basic pay drawn as on 1-1-2006 on the existing 5th CPC pay scales will be multiplied by a factor of 1.86 and then rounded off to next multiple of 10. This will be the pay in the revised running pay band. Grade pay as approved by the Government, corresponding to the pre-revised pay scale, will then be added to the pay in the revised band. The total of pay in the pay band and grade pay will be revised basic pay as on 1-1-2006.

Since Government has notified minimum pay to new recruits joining the pay band on or after 1-1-2006 as given below, the pay fixation of existing employees if there pay get fixed in the minimum of revised pay band, their revised pay is likely be fixed in the minimum "pay in the revised band" depending on the grade pay in a particular pay band.

Total pay to new recruits at entry point on or after January 1, 2006, will be as shown below:

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PAY BAND 3 & PAY BAND 4

1. Pay Band - 3

Pay Scale Rs 15600 - 39100

a) Grade Pay: 5400
Pay in Pay Band: Rs 15600
Total Pay: Rs 21000

b) Grade Pay: 6600
Pay in Pay Band: Rs 18750
Total Pay: Rs 25350

c) Grade Pay: 7600
Pay in Pay Band: Rs 21900
Total Pay: Rs 29500

2. Pay Band-4

Pay Scale Rs 37400 - 67000

a) Grade Pay: 8700
Pay in Pay Band: Rs 37400
Total Pay: Rs 46100

b) Grade Pay: 8900
Pay in Pay Band: Rs 40200
Total Pay: Rs 49100

c) Grade Pay: 10000
Pay in Pay Band: 43000
Total Pay: 53000

d) Grade Pay: 12000
Pay in Pay Band: 47100
Total Pay: 59100

The salaries for the MDs of Associate Banks/ DMDs of SBI/EDs of nationalized banks should be equivalent to S-31, those of CMDs of nationalized banks, MDs of SBI be equivalent to that of S-32 and those of the Chairman of SBI and IDBI equivalent to S-33.

HAG+ & Apex Scale

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Even in countries like UK, where government has entered into bailing out the banks, the general feeling is to bring down the salaries of the government supported banks’ executives at par with those of civil servants.

The forum appeals to all the officers working in the PSBs in the country to offer suggestions to the forum and to exert pressures on their respective associations to put forth similar demands.

Indefinite strike call deferred

The BOPF compliments the officers of State Bank Group to exert sufficient pressures on their respective associations / federation for deferring the strike. The realization about the difficult economic times, by the leadership of unions, is not out of their own wisdom, but because of waning support for strikes among members. Bank officers have become tired of strikes called by the leadership of trade unions without seeking opinions of the members.

The forum is of the view that all trade unions across the industry must follow the directive principle: Trade unions must not act against the benefits of its members, trade union must not act against the benefits of larger national interests.

The adherence of directive principle is needed due to various reasons:

1. Members are not ready to support strikes as it is hurting their image, self-respect and pockets.
2.It hurts the larger economy by crippling work in the lifeline of economic activities.
3.The cause taken up by the leaderships of trade union do not reflect the desires of the membership.

As far as merger process is concerned, it is claimed to be deferred temporarily. Consolidation exercise will hurt the self-seeking leaders of trade unions, as it would reduce their numbers. But if the opposition to consolidation by trade unions hurts the benefits of officers and the economy, then it would be better to do away with such trade unions.

The Forum appeals to all the officers in the Indian Banking Space to come out with their opinions, suggestions and initiatives to enrich the Indian Banking.

BOPF Stand Reiterated by Mysore Unit

(For better view of the above circular - Please click anywhere in the circular)

. (For better view of the following circular - Please click anywhere in the circular)
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With further reference to our message posted on 22.09.2008, the Forum brings to your notice the Official Communiqué of Mysore Unit reiterating the stand taken by the BOPF. The Forum appreciates the democratic process adopted by the ABOA - Mysore Unit to take a stand in favor of merger, which reflects the desire of majority of members. The Forum has been informed by a large number of officers of other ABs that their respective units of ABOA will take a similar stand since majority of officers in all the ABs are in favour of a larger SBI. The Forum is of the view that no unit of ABOA will try to negate the desire of their membership and will articulate to the wishes of their members.

The Forum appeals to all the officers of Associate Banks to respond to their conscience and to express their will by not participating in indefinite strike called against merger. No Association/Union can exist by forcing its members to go against their individual benefits, which is likely to be more secured in larger State Bank. By reporting for duty on 20th October onwards, the officers of State Bank group will show their commitment to the Indian Economy at this crucial juncture as well as will show their desire for consolidation.
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