Reg: Bipartite Talks with IBA on Group Medical Insurance Policy for employees, officers and retirees
Further to last round of meeting with IBA held on 21-5-2025 on renewal of the policy for the year 2025-26 and for discussing improvements in the scheme, one more round of meeting took place today between IBA and UFBU in IBA’s office in Mumbai. IBA was represented by their team led by Shri Rajneesh Karnatak, Chairman of the negotiating Committee (MD&CEO, Bank of India). From UFBU all our Unions participated in the meeting.

UFBU CIRCULAR : Our unions and members are aware that in the recent agitation and Strike Notice, we had highlighted the issue of increasing attacks and assaults on employees and officers in bank branches. During the conciliation meeting before the Chief Labour Commissioner, we pointed out that unruly customers and banking public are indulging in physical assaults on employees and officers in Branches and such customers also use abusing language on the staff members.

We reproduce hereunder the contents of CIRCULAR NO.AIBEA/195/2025/42 Dated 24/05/2025 Issued by Com. C.H.VENKATACHALAM ,General Secretary, AIBEA, on the above subject for information of our members.

Please recall the discussions the undersigned had with you recently on the above matter.
You are well aware that in our Bank, recruitment of Substaff and Armed Guards was stopped since 2011. Since then, a huge number of new branches were opened and large number of Substaff Employees were superannuated. This has ultimately compelled the branches to engage casual workers in the vacant posts of Substaff, to undertake the housekeeping and substaff activities of the branch. Thus, in our observation and calculation more than 2000 branches/offices are having substaff vacancies as they are being manned by casual workers, in order to run the day-today subordinate activities. Similarly, a large number of high risk and medium risk branches are prone to risk without security guards in the absence of recruitment of Armed Guards.

Our units and members are aware that our call for joining the General Strike on 20th May, 2025 has been postponed to 9th July, 2025. Due to war tensions, particularly in the border areas, our units had requested and suggested for deferring the strike on 20th May, 2025. We had deferred the demonstration programmes and advised our units in the border and disturbed areas to ensure uninterrupted service to the people. We had also advised our units in those areas to be in readiness to organise blood donation camps to meet any eventuality. However, on 10th May evening ceasefire was announced and the tension was diffused.

After serving our Strike Notice, there has been tension and disturbances in the borders warranting review of our strike call. In the meantime, 10th evening Ceasefire has also been announced. However, since the situation is not fully normal, and taking into account the prevailing situation, the Central Trade Unions held a meeting today to review the strike call. Accordingly, the meeting has decided to postpone the nationwide General Strike against the antilabour, anti-people policies of the Government to 9 th July.

We have already informed that as decided in our Central Committee meeting, AIBEA will be participating in the ensuing nationwide General Strike on 20th May, 2025.
After that we contacted the various Unions in the Banks and insurance sector for a possible joint observation of the strike in the financial sector. Besides AIBOA and BEFI, All India Insurance Employees Association (AIIEA), All India LIC Employees Federation (AILICEF) and All India National Life Insurance Employees Federation (AINLIEF) informed that they are also joining the strike. Other Unions expressed their fraternal support to the strike.

The eagerly awaited 3rd National Youth & Women Convention was successfully held at the historic city of Jalandhar in Punjab. It was in our Bengaluru working committee meeting held in July, 2024, we took a decision to organise our 3rd National Young Men & Women Convention in 2025.
True to their commitment and ever readiness, our Punjab unit plunged into action and put all arrangements in place.

As long as the general population remains passive, apathetic, and distracted by consumerism or remains silent against exploitation of the vulnerable, the powerful can act as they please, leaving those who survive to contemplate the outcome.
May Day 2025 is a reminder to all of us not to remain passive or silent when we observe that there is intensified and aggravated exploitation of the working class. It is clear that the Government is following policies that benefit the rich and hurt the poor masses.

UFBU CIRCULAR NO. 7 Dt. 29-4-2025: “Our members are aware that consequent to our call for Strike, the Chief Labour Commissioner of the Ministry of Labour, Government of India, held two rounds of conciliation meetings on 18-3-2025 and 21-3-2025 wherein it was decided, in view of the discussions with the IBA and the officials of the Dept. of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance and the assurances of the CLC, to postpone our two days’ strike action. Subsequently, IBA had called us for a round of bipartite discussions on 23-4-2025, the outcome of which has been informed to members in our previous circular.

UFBU CIRCULAR NO. 6 Dt. 25-4-2025: Further to the conciliation meeting held by the CLC on 21-3-2025 when it was decided to postpone the strike, the IBA called for one round of discussions with UFBU on 23-4-2025 at IBA office in Mumbai.
IBA was represented by the Chairman of the Negotiating Committee Shri Rajneesh Karnatak (MD/CEO of Bank of India), Shri Atul Kumar Goel, Chief Executive, IBA and other Executives and officials.

Yes, 79 years of a great journey is getting completed. Our beloved AIBEA is entering its 80th year of glorious existence on 20th April, 2025.
When we look back, it looks like a simple story but when you recall the struggles and events, anyone would realise the inspiring history behind this 5 magical letters – A.I.B.E.A. Founded as a tiny bush but with great vision, our organisation has lived up to the expectations of the founding fathers and has today grown into a mighty organisation with international acclamation and reputation.

Units are aware that the AIBEA sponsored Com H L Parvana Memorial Trust is functioning from Nagpur. This was founded by Eastern Maharashtra Bank Employees Association in order to perpetuate the memory of our great leader Com H L Parvana. Com. Prabhat Kar and Com. Tarakeswar Chakraborti were Trustees of this Trust.
AIBEA’s Prabhat – Parvana Trade Union Training Institute is functioning from the Trust building ‘Parvana Bhavan’

As you know, the third National Youth and Women Convention under the banner of AIBEA is being held in Punjab this time.The glory of Punjab lies in its rich cultural heritage, historical significance, and agricultural prosperity. Known as the "Granary of India," Punjab has been a land of Gurus, spiritual leaders, brave warriors,freedom fighters, martyrs and vibrant traditions. Its contributions to India's freedom struggle, literature, music, and cuisine are remarkable. The state's resilience, unity, and commitment to progress continue to shape its identity and influence both nationally and globally . It is a matter of great pride for us that the UCO Bank Employees Union North Zone is getting the opportunity to hold this convention in Jalandhar, the city of Punjab. We are grateful to AIUCBEF who chose this North Zone Unit comprising Punjab, Haryana Chandigarh and Jammu & Kashmir to hold this convention. Today, Jalandhar city is waiting for you.

Dear Comrades, The working committee meeting of ALL INDIA UCO BANK EMPLOYEES FEDERATION was held as scheduled at Ranchi , Jharkhand on 12th & 13th April, 2025 after a period of 8 months from the last one. The two-day session witnessed the enthusiastic participation of 74 office bearers and working committee members from all corners of the country. Additionally, there were around 15-20 leaders, volunteers and activists of Jharkhand unit who also apart from attending their duties were apt listeners of the deliberations on the proceedings.

As we move near to the 80th Founding Day of AIBEA Let us recall the Two historic Outstanding and astounding Astonishing and amazing achievements of AIBEA 20th April, 1946 – AIBEA was born Demands of AIBEA for better wages and service conditions referred to Tribunals

United forum of bank unions served a strike notice in Form-L dated 05.03.2025 to the Chairman, Indian Bank Association and the Chief Labour Commissioner(C) mentioning therein to go on strike on 24th-25th March 2025 apart from other agitational programmes. The moment the notice is received to the Chief Labour Commissioner(C), it is seized into conciliation considering public utility service and a notice was issued to all the stake holders asking them to attend the meeting on 18.03.2025 at 11:30 AM.