Text of UFBU Circular No. 4 dt. 30th January, 2007
ATTACK ON TRADE UNIONS
CONTINUOUS STRIKE BY EMPLOYEES AND OFFICERS IN CENTRAL BANK W.E.F. 22.2.07
UFBU DECLARES SUPPORTIVE COUNTRY-WIDE STRIKE ON 23.02.07
ATTACK ON TRADE UNIONS
CONTINUOUS STRIKE BY EMPLOYEES AND OFFICERS IN CENTRAL BANK W.E.F. 22.2.07
UFBU DECLARES SUPPORTIVE COUNTRY-WIDE STRIKE ON 23.02.07
The struggle is expected to escalate in Central Bank of India in defence of Trade Union rights of the workers and officers and for retention of their hard earned bilateral rights to decide about the service/working conditions. The management having seen the total success of the one day all India protest strike by over 40,000 employees and officers as per the decision of the United Forum of Unions in Central Bank of India should have taken a conciliatory posture, but alas, they have decided to retaliate through charge-sheets, memos and threats of dismissals. The history is again created by the management in Central Bank of India by serving 7500 show-cause notices / charge-sheets to the employees and officers for their participation in the all India one day protest strike on 22.01.07 and threatening them with serious consequences if they do not submit a satisfactory explanation for their participation in the strike. The explanation for participation in strike is given by the Unions and not by the individual members in any orgnisation. This is simple logic. The management is in illusion that the number of charge-sheets, transfers nd threats of disciplinary actions will scare the members from participating in the trade union action as per the collective decision of the Unions. The management having made all attempts to scuttle the strike with the head of the institution the Chairperson herself having taken the lead in the retaliatory actions should have taken the message in right spirit and chosen to resolve the stalemate so that the industrial relations climate is normalized.
2. Comrades, as already communicated, the strike was a historic success in Central Bank of India, with an unprecedented participation by the rank and file across the country at the call of the United Forum of Unions in Central Bank of India. The Forum placed on record the appreciation of the Unions on the splendid performance of the members across the country in response to the joint call given by all the unions. The Forum was constrained to note that the message of the strike has not been taken in the right spirit by the management. The management has resorted to victimisation all over the country. The dark day of the indefinite strike by government employees in Tamil Nadu and the large scale victimisation thereafter comes to our mind when we notice a similar reaction by the Chairperson in Central Bank of India. The employees and officers have gone on strike not on frivolous grounds, but to reiterate their trade union rights demanding restoration of bilateral relationship. Hence, the unions have now decided to escalate the agitation. Accordingly, they have decided to go on a continuous strike throughout the country from 22.02.07.
3. Comrades, the struggle is to defend the trade union rights by the employees and the officers in the Central Bank of India. The employees and officers in Central Bank of India have to be supported in their struggle by all the unions in the banking industry. While, the leadership of UFBU has been extending their total support to all the activities of the unions in Central Bank of India in their struggle, now it has become necessary to register a strong message to the IBA and Government about these atrocities in Central Bank of India through collective action. The United Forum of Bank Unions at its meeting held on 30th January, 2007 has decided to observe supportive country-wide strike on 23.02.2007 by all Bankmen.
4. All our constituents and their affiliates are requested to mobilise the membership for the strike on 23.02.2007. Let us remember that the attacks on Trade Unions are not confined to Central Bank alone. They are common to all Banks alike, and if we do not act now, such provocations are bound to extend to other banks also, in the immediate future.
With revolutionary greetings,
Sd/-
(PROFULLO KUMAR PATNAIK),
CONVENOR
(PROFULLO KUMAR PATNAIK),
CONVENOR