FEDERATION OF BANK OF INDIA STAFF UNIONS

The birth of AIBEA was unique historically. In the first half of nineteen century, when the country was ruled by British Imperialist, t he workers had no identity but treated as slaves. The British Indian Government was ruthless. The Industries were owned by private Corporates. There was no protective law for workers. Everything was under discretion of Management. Industrial Tycoons were dictating the economic and fiscal policies of the Government. The period was turbulent. Freedom struggle was in full force by Indian National Congress. In the year 1920 All India Trade Union Congress was formed. In the year 1923 Employees of Currency Dept. (Govt. of India) formed their Association. Subsequently in the year 1925, employees of Imperial Bank of India formed their union. Later in the year 1935 when Reserve Bank of India created by R.B.I. Act the Currency Dept. of the Govt. was merged with RBI. So also the Reserve Bank Employees Association. The history of India from 1940 to 1946 was one of tremendous upheaves of turmoil. The Second world was had just ended in the year 1945. The Freedom struggle against British Colonialism was at the climax. Many historic strike actions by Indian Workers including Indian Navy took place demanding a fair deal. The atmosphere naturally awakened bank employees in the state of West Bengal, U.P., Maharashtra. Many Bank wise unions were formed and led enormous agitation. The awakening of Struggle by various bank wise Union consolidated in the formation of All India Bank Employees Association on 20th April 1946. Within 3 months at Birth of AIBEA, on 29th July 1946 the entire working class in Bengal observed General Strike expressing their solidarities to strike of Posts and Telegraph Department. In the month of August 1946, Employees of Imperial Bank (Now State Bank) which was associated with AIBEA declared strike action against their management. Around this time at Bombay, the Bank of India Staff Association, went on Strike from 23rd June to 4th July 1946. The Strikes was declared illegal under Defence of India Rules by Government of Bombay, Leaders were dismissed. All coercive action failed. Management succumbed to pressure of strike action and started negotiation. This was first bilateral negotiation with Union to resolved the pay scale from Rs. 65 to 275 with span of 17 years with fixed DA of Rs. 30. This settlement was published in the Government Gazette Bombay on 15.09.1946 as consent Award by Justice Divatia. In the year 1949 Govt. of India promulgated ordinance taking over the banks as central subject. AIBEA took up prolonged struggle of leaders Com Prabhat Kar, Com. H.L. Parvana, Com. D.P. Chaddha, Com. N. Sampath, Com. Sushil Ghosh compelled Govt. of India to appoint National Tribunals starting from Sen Tribunal to Desai Tribunal in which workmen of Banks achieved standardized ways structure and other service conditions. Bank men were tired and resented over third party adjudication which had its own demerits. AIBEA launched nationwide agitation demanding Bilateral wage fixation. The AIBEA succeeded and created a new chapter in the history including 1st Bipartite Settlement on 19th October 1966. The AIBEA thereafter started the agitation for Nationalisation of Banks. Govt. headed by Smt. Indira Gandhi Nationalised 14 Major Banks on 19.07.1969. Since 1966 AIBEA is pace setter for achieving 1st Bipartite Settlement to 9th Bipartite Settlement and served as a beacon light radiating the message of Job security, Job contentment, Job enlightment and Job prosperity of Bank employees of the country. As long as working class fraternity in this country flourish to function, the AIBEA will continue to hold a pre-eminent position in the country.