Forum’s stand on proposed strike on 28/03/2009 called by the ABOA

The BOPF has received various queries from its members from Associate Banks’ of SBI regarding the justifications for the strike call at this point of time , where entire country is in election mode and small pressure group like ABOA may go totally unnoticed. The Forum has deliberated on the issue and reached to a conclusion that even though the strike call is not properly timed , it is for the genuine demands of the officers of ABs. It is the desire of the officers of Associate Banks for an equitable treatment in the State Bank Group , which will be reflected by a successful strike.

Moreover the Forum is reviewing its stand on the issue of Merger of ABs with SBI due to few recent developments in State Bank Group :

1. Reduction in seniorities of officers of erstwhile SBS in SBI , which goes against the commitment given by the SBI chairman to give equitable treatment to the SBS officers and employees after merger. The Forum believes that the recent circular is issued without the knowledge of the chairman of SBI and will be withdrawn soon .However , pending withdrawal of the said circular , it would be dissuading factor for the offices of other ABs to aspire for merger with SBI.

2. Recent reports regarding SBI’s demand for levying fees for use of LOGO by ABs appears to be ridiculous. It can be compared to a situation , where an elder brother asks the younger one to pay a fee for using family’s surname .The formation of SBI and its associate banks were done by acts of parliament and these banks were created by change in names of the banks conducting government business. The SBI emerged out of the Imperial Bank servicing the interest of “videshi” colonial rulers , whereas the Asociate Banks’ earlier avatars were servicing the interests of “ Desi “ rulers. In Free India , a descendent of the colonial ruler cannot claim a bigger pie than those of local powers.

3. A large number of privileges enjoyed by the employees of SBI must be extended to employees of other PSBs . The special status of SBI has been changed after transfer of shares of SBI from the RBI to the Central Government. Hence , it is the need of the hour that the Central Government makes uniform service conditions for all the PSBs.

4. All the shares of Associate Banks held by SBI should be transferred to the Central Government . The LOGIC that the Regulator should not own an entity which is to be regulated by it , under which SBI’s shares were transferred by the RBI , should be extended a little further that an entity should not control another in the same sector , which is supposed to compete with it for business. In such a case independent associate banks will offer much better growth opportunities and job satisfaction to its officers and employees.

5. The Forum has so far tried to consolidate and express the feelings of its members and expect more participation from its members to effect desired legislations related with the banking industry in the country.