Immediately after the settlement, most of the unions patted their back for the so called
"historic settlement". Slowly as they started facing volley of questions from the members, they came out with various theories to justify their action, which included the so called legal opinion and IBA's stiff attitude which forced them to agree to recovery from only PF optees to the tune of 2.8 times of the November 2007 pay. An impression was being created by them as if they were not in favour the same till 26th April, 2010, but somehow they were cornered so much that they had to agree to the terms set by IBA. If that would have been the case, then they would not now oppose the petition pending in Madras High Court. That shows the double standards.
But soon the bankers will be able to see the "Asli Chehra" (i.e. True Face) of these union leaders. These union leaders will now not be able to beat around the bush and befool the members by shedding crocodile tears. They have to take a stand in the Madras High Court, as to whether they are in favour of payment by all employees / officers @ 1.6 times or they favour 2.8 times only from PF optees. Some of these unions have already been exposed. Let us see what does the market reports say as at the end of June, 2010.
It is reported that during the course of hearing of the case at Madras High Court, while opposing the interim stay granted by Madras High Court, advocates of IBA, and AIBEA and NCBE, requested for vacation of the stay. AIBEA and NCBE were represented by one of the top most firm namely M/s Aiyar & Dolia and wanted vacation of the interim stay on recovery of 2.8 times only from PF optees to be vacated.
Vide circular No. 98 dated 29th June, 2010. AIBOC has declared "We are in constant touch with the IBA and the Convenor of UFBU, to initiate appropriate steps to vacate the stay, at the earliest, to enable IBA to issue necessary instructions to member Banks on the Pension offer". Thus, AIBOC is also likely to oppose the move and appears to be in favour of payment by only PF optees". (Remember, the stay is not against the Pension offer or issuing circular by IBA, it is only against immediate recovery of 2.8 times of pay of November, 2007 from PF optees. )
The stand of other unions will also be clear within a week, as court in its orders says ""Notice to respondents returnable by 06.07.2010. There shall be an interim order of stay". (all major unions are respondents in this case). The reports indicate that NOBW may support the petition filed by Canara Bank Workers Unions. Similarly, BEFI may not oppose the petition of Canara Bank Workers union. The protest by INBEF has already been incorporated in the affidavit filed in the Court.
It has also been reported that some Banks have issued strict instructions for payment of arrears to all the employees / officers by 30th June, 2010 or so, after keeping 2.8 times of the pay of November, 2007 in suspense account. This clearly gives an indication that banks are in a hurry to pay arrears so that they can deduct 2.8 times from the arrears of PF optees before orders of Madras High Court are delivered to them through IBA. In court they will take the plea that notice of stay was not received by them and arrears have already been paid. As Canara Bank has also rushed to pay the arrears today after keeping the 2.8 recovery in suspense, Canara Bank Workers Union is likely to give a strong protest letter on 1st July, 2010 at their Head Office. Canara Bank Workers Union has informed that they are proceeding to Bangalore to personally handover the letter along with a copy of the court order and get the acknowledgement.
Now all the bankers have to take a final call as to whether these union leaders are with the workers or are working against them. We know it is a difficult task as they have to eat their own words. They have issued number of circulars justifying as to why and how they were cornered to agree this changed stand on the night of 26th and 27th April, 2010. However, this is the time when they can correct the mistakes as PF optess have shared the burden of pension even in the last two Bipartite settlements (7th and 8th).
This information is now shared by almost everybody (which was not known earlier to 99% of the PF optees).
The unions opposing the petition will be spending lacs of rupees in the legal battle. All this money can be saved if they simple say that we do not oppose the petition and are in favour of the same. "
The opinion is published from blogs.siliconindia.com for the circulation among the bankers. The views and opinion printed above is personal opinion of the author. The blog administrator is in no way in favour or against the view published above. We hope the author will not mind that we have published from his blog without permission for sake of publicity and awareness.
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