ALL INDIA UNION BANK PENSIONERS AND RETIREES FEDERATION

Com P K Sarkar, born on 4.6.1953, joined the services of the Bank on 24.1.1979 as Probationary Officer. He is a Post Graduate in Statistics. He worked in Assam and in various branches in Kolkata. He started his Trade Union career as Assistant Secretary of the Union Bank Officers’ Association, North Eastern region and continued the post from 1980 to 1985. After his transfer to Kolkata, he became Assistant Secretary of Union Bank Officers’ Association (West Bengal and Sikkim) during the period 1986 to 1992. In the year 1992, he was elected as General Secretary of Union Bank Officers’ Association (West Bengal and Sikkim). In the year 1997, he became the President of his association and continued in that post till his retirement.

He was elected as Vice President of the All India Union Bank Officers’ Federation in the General Body meeting held at Kolkata on 17/18.12.1994. He was elected as General Secretary of AIUBOF in the meeting held at Bhopal in 1997 and held this position till his retirement in the year 2013. In AIBOC he started his career as Deputy General Secretary, then Joint Secretary, followed by Vice-President and ultimately elevated to the position of President till his retirement from the services of the Bank in 2013.

He was instrumental in the formation of All India Nationalised Bank Officers’ Federation - AINBOF along with key leaders like Comrades K S Shetty, K D Khera, S Roy Choudhury, Ram Koteeswar Rao, Suprita Sarkar and others. He was elected as President of AINBOF on 01.08.2010 and continued in that position till his retirement from the services of the Bank in 2013.

With the formation of AINBOF and with the support and cooperation of other leaders, he could steer the demands for another option for Pension to the left out PF optees. He was elected as President in the triennial conference of AIBOC in 2011 at Bhubaneswar. He was also unanimously elected as Convener of United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) and negotiated with IBA for 10th Bipartite Settlement.

He is very calm and composed but firm in his principles and in achieving the goals. He was also a signatory to VIII and IX Bipartite settlements. His negotiation skill is unparalleled. He had secured many benefits to all Officers /Employees working in not only our Bank but also in other Banks. The period 1992 to 1997 was full of struggles and agitations and he was in the forefront of all struggles, dharnas, hunger strikes, etc.

After taking the reins of the Federation in 1997, he took up the issues of former leaders who were victimized by the Management, and resolved them to the reasonable satisfaction of the affected leaders. He achieved a lot by following proactive approach and subtle diplomacy, for the welfare of the Officers. However, when the situation warrante launching agitations and strikes, he did not lag behind. During his period, the industrial relations scenario remained harmonious which in fact helped the Bank to surge ahead and occupy 5th position among the Nationalized Banks. By launching Universal Academy of Learning & Leadership (UALL) at Kolkata, he showed to the world that he was a true Trade Unionist, interested in educating the rank and file and developing the innate leadership qualities in every individual.

He has great respect for former leaders of the Association/Federation for their services and contributions towards the cause of working class. Not content with serving the Officers, Com Sarkar, in line with the decision taken by AIBOC, took steps for the formation of All India Union Bank Pensioners and Retirees Federation, affiliated to All India Bank Pensioners and Retirees Confederation (AIBPARC) to take care of the Pensioners and Retirees of our Bank.

He held the position of Officer Employee Director during the period 1998 – 2004 and played a leading role in securing many benefits for the Officers/Employees and also for the growth of the Bank. When there were moves from the Government to merge our Bank with Bank of India, he immediately formed a Co-ordination Committee consisting representatives of all Trade Unions/Associations and ensured that the merger did not take place. He is now Adviser to the All India Union Bank Pensioners and Retirees Federation and his rich experience will go a long way in resolving the issues of the Retirees.

Com Bhattacharjee joined the services of the Bank in 1972 and was promoted to Officer Cadre in 1978 and worked in different branches in West Bengal in various capacities. He was a key member of AIUBOF. He was holding the position of Senior Vice-President of West Bengal Unit. He was also Vice President of AINBOF, West Bengal Unit. He was elected as Treasurer of AIUBOF in the 16th Triennial Conference held in February 1997 at Bhopal. He dedicated his services for the cause of working class in general and Officers in particular. He did not opt for promotion and retired as Scale I Officer. He was the Sub-editor of Federation Journal - Union Vision. He was nominated to the Board of Union Bank of India on 4.5.2011 as Officers’ Representative for a period of 3 years.

Instances of Issuance of Charge sheets and placing suspensions were increasing during 2009/2010. There were instances of invocation of Regulation 20 3(iii). As of August 2011, there were 81 suspensions. This particular issue was taken up by Com Bhattacharjee in the board meeting effectively. Ultimately, the suspension orders were revoked and the matter was discussed expeditiously and the number of suspensions was reduced to 36 as of February 2012 from 81 as of August 2011.

Due to effective representation by Com Bhatacharjee in the Board meeting, instances of invocation of Regulation 20 3(iii) got substantially reduced. Further, the instances of suspension and invocation of Regulation 20 3(iii) were regularly reported to the Board of the Bank as well as in other meetings, thereby ensuring periodical review at regular intervals. Com Bhatacharjee is now the Advisor to our Federation and offering his valuable advices in redressing grievances of the retirees of the Bank.

Com. B N Shukla born on 15.1.1946, a post graduate in Agriculture, joined the Bank on 30.11.1972 as Agricultural Field Officer. He was promoted to Scale II in 1990. He joined the Officers’ Movement since his joining the services of the Bank and became General Secretary of Uttar Pradesh (East) in 1977. He was the Vice President of All India Union Bank Officers’ Federation from 1984 to 1986. He was elected as President of All India Union Bank Officers’ Federation in 1989 and held this position till 1997. He was elevated to the post of Chairman of the Federation during the period 1997 to 2000. He was Senior Vice- President of the Federation from 2002 to 3l.1.2006.

Com Shukla was a member of Permanent Negotiating Team of the Federation. Being directly recruited officer of 1972, Com Shukla could have risen to the level of top Executive cadre but had chosen the path for fighting for the rights of Officers and improving the service conditions of Officers at large.

Com Shukla, fondly known as Guruji, enjoyed absolute popularity across the length and breadth of the Country. This unique distinction was not achieved in a day. He had been a torch-bearer and leading light in consolidating the forte of Officers in the vast State of UP and contributed with equal zeal and dedication to the cause of AIUBOF. Though he had passed through many years of turbulence, he had been an uncompromising fighter for the right cause in doomsday. Simplicity and adaptability made him lovable and acceptable to everybody who came in close contact with him. His thoroughness of minutest things was unparalleled. In any movement, any agitation, any campaign, any negotiation etc., in settling differences and resolving the problems, his approach had always been unique.

Com Shukla retired from the service on 31.1.2006 on his super annuation. He has been taken as Advisor to All India Union Bank Pensioners and Retirees Federation to make use of his rich experience for the cause of retirees of the bank. He has been rendering valuable services and advices to our Federation.