We Bankers Staff Association Calls Strike in Uttar Bihar Gramin Bank: Demands for Better Working Conditions and Fair Treatment

The We Bankers Staff Association of Bihar has issued a strike notice to the Uttar Bihar Gramin Bank (UBGB) due to the non-addressal of the pending demands of employees. The strike is scheduled for one day on August 5, 2024, and will be followed by an indefinite strike starting on August 16, 2024, if their demands are not met.

The strike notice, dated July 11, 2024, was addressed to UBGB Chairman Sohail Ahmad and General Manager M. K. Gosain. It highlights key grievances and demands aimed at addressing issues faced by the bank’s employees. The primary points of contention include:

1. Interference with Union Rights: The union alleges interference with the right to form, join, organise, and assist trade unions of their choice. They also accuse the management of showing favouritism and partiality towards other unions and refusing to discuss and negotiate grievances.
2. Discrimination and Favouritism: Management is accused of discriminating against certain unions and granting favours to others without merit.
3. Evading Discussion: The ignorant approach of evading discussion and negotiation with the member.

Image: The letter by We Bankers Staff Association to UBGB Chairman and GM  

Reacting to the call of strike, a member of the association told Kanal, “For the past several months, the management's attitude has been anti-staff and dictatorial, showing a clear disregard for our demands. The management has consistently ignored our concerns, leaving us no choice but to show our strength on August 5.”

The letter also highlights key demands and they are as follows:

1. Pay and Allowances: There is a demand for an immediate increase in pay and allowances, following the 12th Bipartite Settlement and 9th Joint Note. The association called for the payment of arrears as an ad-hoc increase from November 1, 2022, and revised pension and arrears for existing pension optees retired from the same date.
2. Engagement with Union Representatives: The notice calls for the immediate invitation of We Bankers Staff Association representatives to discuss grievances raised by officer members and a review of recent transfer orders, which are seen as detrimental to staff morale and the bank's overall functioning.
3. Performance-Linked Incentive (PLI): Immediate release of PLI to all employees is demanded.
4. Manpower Assessment: The unions urge the implementation of the S. K. Mitra Committee recommendations for better staffing in RRBs to address acute shortages and ensure proper functioning.
5. Transparent Transfer Guidelines: They seek the formulation and implementation of transparent transfer guidelines, including bans on transfers used as harassment tools, minimum tenure requirements, and accommodations for employees with spouses working in the same or other institutions within the bank's command area.
6. Allowances and Benefits: Revision and reimbursement of various allowances such as conveyance, petrol, and newspaper, in line with those provided by the sponsor, Central Bank of India. Additionally, they demand leased accommodation facilities, a revision of key allowances, upward revisions in GSLI & Staff Group Accident Policy, and staff loan schemes.
7. Operational Pressures: The notice calls for an immediate ban on undue pressure for KCC renewals and unauthorised enrollments in government schemes without customer consent.
8. Other Demands: Other demands include revisions in leave rules, hotel bill reimbursements, and transparent guidelines to check suspension and charge sheets for minor mistakes.

As the discontent of We Bankers Staff Association unfolds, UBGB remains one of the few regional rural banks that has not implemented the 12th BPS benefits, PLI, and arrears. In contrast, RRBs in the neighbouring states of Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand have already implemented these measures.

The association has emphasised that their final decision on proceeding with the strike will be taken in the general body meeting of the We Bankers Staff Association, Bihar and expects efforts to resolve the issues through mutual discussion without any fail.