Reflecting on my Golden days thanks to AIBOA comrades
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V Balasubramanian
Feb 14, 2013 is a memorable Golden day in my life. I had the honour of re-launching the “ Two Roses” magazine published by All India Bank Officers’Assn ( AIBOA) along with my best friend, Comrade R J Sridharan, Chairman, AIBOA, Comrade Nagarajan,General secy and other comrades. It also marked the historic 33rd Founding Day of AIBOA. It proved a great moment to reflect on my golden days of covering TU movement in the banking industry.
When they invited me for the occasion, my joys knew no bounds. For, since 1982, I had extensively covered the negotiations on bank wage revision, computerisation, the struggles and agitations by AIBEA, AIBOA, BEFI, AIBOC and other unions in FE and later in ET. I had interviewed veteran AIBEA leaders like com Prabathkar, Comrade Tarak, Comrade Sampath, RJS and Menon ( AIBOA) Godbole, Sengupta ( AIBOC) besides IBA Chairmen such as, N Vahul, Goiporia, and Srinivasan.
I conveyed my best wishes for the resounding success of Two Roses Journal for reflecting the voice of AIBEA and AIBOA and protecting the interest of lakhs of award staff and officers.
While sharing my thoughts on the occasion, I said the banking industry was once dubbed an “ high wage island”. But, over the years, a number of such Islands have cropped up leaving the bankmen behind.
I stressed the need for public sector banks, with all their unique strengths, to connect with more gen next customers.
I also underlined the need to re-visit the HR policies by PSU banks to really empower and re-energise the employees and officers by ensuring a healthy work life balance and promoting a sense of ownership among them. I feel, most of them are employed or enabled with a good work environment.
