Calcutta, Jan 3: Standard Chartered Bank's management and employees are likely to hold a crucial meeting in mid-January to discuss a new bipartite settlement and another voluntary retirement scheme (VRS). The meeting will take place against the backdrop of case filed in the Supreme Court by the employees federation questioning the legality of the VRS, termed by the bank's management as an early separation scheme (ESS).Union sources said the management wants to discuss certain critical matters relating to the bank's activities and the employees, specifically the award staff. ``Earlier, the meeting was scheduled on December 15. On December 14 the management informed us that the meeting has been postponed, but the new dates are yet to be announced,'' the union sources said. They said they had come to know informally that the meeting will be held from January 16 to 18.
The sources said the management has already informed the Mumbai chapter of All India Standard Chartered Bank Employees Federation that the three-day meeting will start from January 16. The Calcutta chapter, Standard Chartered Bank Employees' Union (SCBEA) has not been given any date by the management.
A union member said the meeting will revolve around the signing of a new agreement and surplus staff. The last bipartite agreement, signed in 1995, ends on December 31, 2000. ``The management has already given us a 24-point agenda, which includes all the crucial issues for discussion."
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