We have informed all our units and members about the incident that
happened relating to the conference of our affiliated unit, Bank of India
Staff Union, Kerala on 27th July, 2024.
In the normal course and as in any other conference, condolence
resolution was part of the General Secretary Report of the Conference.
140 names of various international, national leaders, dignitaries,
personalities, our leaders, etc. were mentioned in the list of names.
Name of Pervez Musharraf, former President of Pakistan was also in that
list since he had died last year.
Some interested elements escalated this to their political leaders and a
controversy was created that our Union is honouring Musharraf because
AIBEA is always anti-national. With a view not to get diverted from the
main issues of the conference, the name was deleted in the official
condolence resolution. Matter ended there.
But, NOBW and NOBO deliberately aggravated the issue and issued their
circular accusing us of being anti-national. We know why they are doing
all these things because they are desperate and frustrated. After 65
years of their existence, NOBW represents 1% of bank employees. So
they try all these cheap tactics to whip up sentiments and wean away
some members.
The whole nation is aware of the patriotic commitment and credentials of
AIBEA. Bank employees also better know about AIBEA and its
contributions in the last nearly 8 decades. Hence we know that bank
employees will not succumb to the cheap methods to weaken our unity.
While being so, yesterday, the management of Bank of India, in a highly
provocative action, has served charge-sheet on all the 13 office bearers
of the Union for adding the name of Musharraf in the draft Report.
In India trade unions are governed by the provisions of Indian Trade
Unions Act, 1926 and our Union has not violated any of the provisions of
the Act. Hence the management’s action is provocative, unwarranted
and amounts to interfering in the internal affairs of the Union without
any justification.
If the management has any issue or grievance or complaint against the
Union, they are welcome to take up the matter with the Union or the
Federation of Bank of India Staff Union to clarify the facts and
circumstances of the controversy. But trying to terrorise the employees
through such charge-sheets is unfair, vindictive and prejudicial to the
rights of the trade union.
We denounce the attempts of NOBW and NOBO which will only weaken
and jeopardise the united objectives of UFBU.
We also oppose the unwarranted charge-sheets and uncalled for
provocation by the Bank of India management.
We demand that the charge-sheets be withdrawn and the issue be
resolved amicably.
To express our strong protest against this vindictive action of the
management of Bank of India, (obviously under external
pressures), it has been decided that AIBEA along with Federation
of Bank of India Staff Unions will observe ALL INDIA STRIKE ON
28th AUGUST, 2024 in all the Banks.
Comrades, the issue involved is fundamental. It involves the basic right
of trade unions. Hence, we cannot accept any challenge to the same.
Hence this Strike call. We call upon all our Unions and members to rise
as one man and make the strike a success.
With greetings,
Yours comradely,
C.H. VENKATACHALAM
GENERAL SECRETARY
To defend trade union right
Observe
All India Bank Strike
on 28th August, 2024