IBA Sets Tough Charter For New Bank Wage Deal

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Mumbai, December 8:: For the nearly 10-lakh strong state-run bank employees, life will be tough in the coming days in more ways than one. The Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) has fired an iron-clad “management agenda” to bank unions as part of the eighth bipartite wage negotiation process, which is expected to be a high-voltage one.

In its “management agenda”, the IBA said the eighth bipartite wage settlement should clearly pen down roles and responsibilities of a bank employee. The association’s view is that the current restrictive practices in everyday operations should be done away with, to make banking flexible. While reviewing the wage revision, which is due from November 1, 2002, it has suggested two sets of norms for the officer and clerical cadres.

For officers, the IBA has suggested further rationalisation of leave travel and leave fare facilities, termination of services without notice where caste certificates are invalid and bringing down the number of casual leaves to eight from 12.

The association has also demanded exclusion of security personnel and officers responsible for round-the-clock maintenance of computers from participation in any agitation, including strikes. Amidst such hard-hitting demands, it has added that officers should compulsorily take at least 10 days of earned leave in a calendar year.

For the clerical staff, the IBA is for the removal of all restrictive practices amongst employees. Senior bankers said the current allowance system, which imparts rigidity to banking operations, must be done away with. The association has also asked for free redeployment of staffers within a language zone, to introduce a single-window concept, and compulsory upgradation of skill-sets.

IBA has set up a sub-committee headed by Bank of Maharashtra chairman and managing director SC Basu to review the negotiation process.

Confirming the receipt of “management agenda”, union sources said they would look at it with an open mind.

“We are open to discussions and are willing to consider the demands as long as they are agreeable,” they said. As per usual practice, unions have already submitted their charter of demands. Over a period of time, bipartite negotiations between the IBA and employees union are seen as an improvement over the previous negotiation. Simultaneously, the IBA and bank officers’ unions also prepare a “joint note” and submit it to the Centre for approval.