Feeling Sad and Dejected-encouraging and discouraging facts After spending 38 years long life in struggling to see independent non political trade union movement in banking industry, I became too much optimistic and hopeful when I saw young bank employees resisting the present system to come in the open to lead from the front. For me it was like dream coming true as only young employees can bring about radical changes. I put in every thing to the best of my ability to help these youngsters. Our move got tremendous response and it got all praises from bank employees all over the country coming on facebook whether old or new, whether working or retired. Thus in a favourable and encouraging environment stage was all set for fight for change through revolution of young bankers to achieve lost respect and glory. I wanted to see these young bankers taking control of every thing, doing every thing on their own and managing their show. For this o I did not interfere or offered any suggestions. They had fixed a target of presence of 10000 employees. When I reached Delhi on 13th and contacted my old friends from various banks to get information about demonstration. I got mixed information. While in some banks there was information regarding our demonstration,there was no information in others. Then I came to know that leaders of all the unions who are part of UFBU are busy in making our demonstration a flop show. Having put in 38 year, I am well aware of the tactics and game plan of these unions. So I thought to myself and questioned. Will these young bankers would succeed in achieving the target? After an analysis, I thought that if 1000 young bankers participate in our show of strength, it would be regarded as unprecedented, historical and grand success. I reached there before time. I saw enthusiasm on the faces of young bankers busy in arrangement. To my pleasant surprise, Respected Rajesh Goyal ji was alsot present who usually keep himself away from becoming a party. Achieving his blessings was some thing remarkable for young bankers. Demonstration started with presence of 100 odds which keep on increasing all the time as young employees keep coming. Young female employees also participated in sizeable numbers. Young employees were raising slogans and were also expressing their views. I was just watching and patiently hearing. I was thrilled with pleasure and joy to hear these young employees who were not leaders and who were not experienced to express their views. These young bankers were highlighting the issues in most remarkable manner and in their own unique style. Every thing was going well as long as young employees were speaking. It was clearly announced from the Dias that we are not here to condemn any one but to highlight our issues and demands as we need involvement and support of each and every bank employees. These young employees maintained the discipline and did not oppose any one particularly. It was nice to see a young female banker coming on her to express views. She spoke and expressed her beautifully. Then all of sudden seniors were called on Dias. Respected Rajesh Goyal and myself were amongst them. I saw two top leaders from a particular union. One of them has been signatory to the Bipartite Settlements being General Secretary. I thought to myself that perhaps these leaders like me are here to encourage young employees rising above their union affiliation and concentrating on the goal set by our young bankers. My thinking proved wrong when these leaders spoke. They did not speak a single word about these young bankers as to what they should do, how they should march forward to stop constituent unions of UFBU agreeing to percentage increase offered by IBA and forcing bankers to remain inferior in comparison to Central Government employees. Their speak was traditional as they deliver before their members praising themselves and condemning others. It was too shocking for me to see that our young bankers did not stop them and requesting them to speak on issues for which young bankers have decided to come forward to challenge established leaders. They were allowed to speak freely and they used the Dias to propagate their union taking credit of every thing good and criticising others for bad. This is an old game of constituent unions of UFBU. They sit together in hotels to formulate strategies, the negotiate collectively and they sign the settlement too collectively. But once settlement is signed, they start taking credit of every thing good achieved and criticise others for what could not be achieved. Thus for a long time the Dias became the Dias of that particular union. I saw young bankers started disappearing who were about 1000 by then because like me they were also assembled there for a change and not to praise any of the constituent unions of UFBU who sign the settlements. I think my young bankers committed big and grave error in this regard. There should have been a precondition for coming of the seniors with young bankers-condition of rising above their union affiliation and concentrate and devote for change. Since yesterday I am feeling really sad and dejected because this mistake has been such which belies the hopes of thousands of bankers who were though not present but were eagerly looking towards us. There heart was with us and their eyes were either on TV or net for getting the updates. These are my honest personal views which are neither aimed at discouraging the young bankers nor hurting the sentiments of any one. Still if any feels hurt, I offer my apology in advance.
Posted on: Sun, 14 Sep 2014 11:18:13 +0000