Debate Continues Over 12th Bipartite Settlement: PNB Employees Association from UP Express Concerns

In a recent development, the Punjab National Bank Progressive Employees Association (PNBPEA) in Uttar Pradesh has raised serious concerns regarding the 12th Bipartite Settlement (BPS) talks, expressing anguish over the service conditions which they term as "deemed signed''. The association has written to the All India Federation - Punjab National Bank Employees Federation (AIPNBEF), highlighting several key issues. Both the organisations are affiliated to the All India Bank Employees Association(AIBEA), the largest trade union among the workmen. 

After the cost sheet of the 12th BPS was signed on 12 January 2024, details of the same were leaked and circulated in social media igniting a heated debate. 

(The letter from PNBPEA to AIPNBEF, as circulated on social media.)

Leaked social media reports have brought to light the concerns of award staff regarding their service conditions under the 12th BPS. The association alleges that new duties are being assigned to the clerical cadre, duties that were traditionally in the profile of officers in Public Sector Banks (PSBs). This move is seen as an imposition of the internal settlement of the State Bank of India (SBI) onto other PSBs with different profiles, salaries, and allowances.

Among the major concerns raised by the association are the increase in passing power from ₹10,000 to ₹50,000, and transfers from ₹15,000 to ₹100,000, which are now in the profile of officers or special assistants. The association questions whether the salary has increased proportionately. Additionally, they express dissatisfaction with the allocation of additional duties to clerical staff, who, just a few months ago, faced a shortage of manpower.

The letter points out that the present system allows single-handed passing of payments up to ₹20,000 by Single Window Operator-B, while officers follow a maker and checker concept. With the proposed increase in passing power up to ₹50,000, concerns are raised about the increased exposure to risk for clerks, leading to potential exploitation.

The association further notes the ideological conflict, as unions are traditionally socialist, yet the proposed increase in the salary gap between clerks and officers, along with additional duties, is deemed unjustified. The letter urges the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) to either confirm or deny the leaked reports to address the unrest among the employees.

However, the AIBEA leadership has discarded the leaked information as fake. The General Secretary of AIBEA in his X post alleged that “some people/forces are deliberately creating negative propaganda”. 

 
(X post by General Secretary of AIBEA)

The controversy has not been limited to the PNBPEA, as common bankers and social media have also expressed outcry over similar issues. In another development, the Bank Employees Federation of India (BEFI), a member of UFBU, disclosed that Cost Sheets for Officers and Workmen were signed by respective Unions/Associations addressing several issues. However, the statement acknowledges that some matters remain pending for finalisation before the ultimate settlement. BEFI also notes concerns arising from circulated materials, particularly the 'Minutes of the meeting of Working Group on revision of Special Pay and duties (workmen)' dated January 6, 2024, which have caused apprehensions among members and leaders. 

As the ‘leaked’ documents create unrest among bankers, neither the IBA nor the UFBU has come out with the specifics of the cost sheet yet. Therefore, it still remains unclear whether the circulated documents are from the signed cost sheet or the minutes of the meeting of the working group.