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Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Kudos to all leaders

Unions have worked hard(ly) to resolve the burning issues of members and past members who have paid them subscriptions regularly till retirement.

When Pension Scheme came some of them sent wrong signals to members stating that CPF would be beneficial.

When the Final Pension Scheme infused in it the clause providing for forfeiture of entire past services for participation in strike, bank men could not join the scheme lest they would lose CPF as also Pension benefit.

When the clause was scrapped in February, 1999, at the behest of Unions, they did not secure with it a chance for Fresh option which was a legitimate and legal entitlement of all those stayed away when the penal clause was present.

Majority did not get an option under the Pension Scheme that is now in force ( i.e. sans the clause providing for forfeiture of service.

Unions did not help any one and drove all victims to Courts to fight the issue futilely and Supreme Court turned down the appeals in 2001

Government and IBA was adamant in their stand and said that no option would be given

Some Unions wanted to ensure that their opponents never get a chance to opt for Pension again

During the course of 8th Bipartite Settlement Unions sold out the rights of employees altogether in 1995by agreeing with IBA not to open the Pension Issue again.

When the issue surfaced again Unions worked under pressure only and reluctantly fought for fresh option

When a MOU was reached on 25th February, 2008 to settle the Pension Issue logically within 90 days from then, Unions again remained non-performing and allowed IBA to mix the item with wage revision. They added to the hardships of the retired for more than another two years

When it was finally agreed on 27 November, 2009 to five final shape to things within 90 days, then also no interest is evinced to stick to the time frame

Even as things are prolonging beyond 100 days, they say that there is positive outcome.

You be the better judges

C N Venugopalan ceeyenvee at gmail.com

1 comment:

Vasan said...

You have been a one man army fighting for a general cause to get the pension option.Today I happened to read the related articles .With much agony and pain I share your views.What is the next step available?With all the facts and figures on hand , the leaders can once again reopen the issue with IBA to settle it as first option without imposing the burden