Malayan Commercial Banks’ Association expresses great concern and disappointment over the announcement by the National Union of Bank Employees (NUBE) that it will air its grievances and exert its demands by picketing at our member bank outlets in Kuala Lumpur on 6.4.2013 (Saturday).

Over the past few months, NUBE had been conducting a series of picketing at several bank offices in various states, with total disregard to its action in causing grave inconvenience to the public and bank customers over issues which could be best resolved only if the Union has chose to raise the issues by using and following through the dispute resolution mechanisms and procedures, as provided both by the collective agreement and the laws of the country.

The Association and our member banks would be ever willing and ready to engage the Union through proper channel and etiquette though admittedly, sometimes member banks do find it insurmountable to satisfy certain union demands, such as demanding for 80 months bonus and demanding for salary adjustment by over 50%.

The Association is equally perturbed by the various allegations, which are riddled with distortions, made against our member banks as reported in the media, despite clarification already provided by member banks at meetings either with the staff concerned, or with the Union, or both.  The Association believes that the distortion was also manifested in the actual membership representation of the Union as stated in the media reports.

As some of the issues which the Union raised have already been referred to the Court for adjudication, the Association is not at liberty to comment on these cases.

It is highly inaccurate and misconceived to even imply that banking employees are being exploited and their welfare, not taken care of. Indeed, the Association takes pride to maintain that banking employees, particularly the non-clerical and clerical staff who come under the scope of representation of NUBE, have always enjoyed  competitive total remuneration and benefits package as compared to other industries.

The Association wishes to highlight that in many of the picketing conducted against its member banks, it was observed that even non-employees of the banks concerned were involved. This is a gross violation of the Industrial Relations Act, 1967. The offence is punishable and on conviction, the offender could be liable to imprisonment or to a fine, or to both. While the Association and its member banks respect the right of unions to conduct industrial actions in accordance of the laws, we would like to advise potential participants to illegal pickets to pay heed to the laws and do not be misled and misguided.

At the same time, the Association urges NUBE to immediately cease such activities which certainly do not help to promote industrial peace and harmony, not to mention the obvious detrimental effect of its disruptive action on the banks, employees and the public at large. We also urge the relevant authorities to intervene and prevent the occurrence of any form of illegal picketing which do not conform to the laws of the country and take the necessary and firm action against those who have flouted the laws.

Statement issued by

Executive Committee of Malayan Commercial Banks’ Association

Sarawak Commercial Banks’ Association (SCBA) successfully concluded the 13^th Collective Agreement with Sarawak Bank Employees’ Union (SBEU) on 28.2.2013. The official signing ceremony was held at Pullman Hotel, Kuching Sarawak on 22 March 2013.

The new Collective Agreement will cover the period from 1.1.2012 to 31.12.2014.

Close to 2,000 employees in the clerical and non-clerical grades who are employed in 13 member banks of SCBA in Sarawak would benefit from this Collective Agreement with a salary adjustment of 10% . In addition, for agreeing to enlarge their job scope, the non-clerical employees would enjoy a further salary adjustment of 3%, whereas the clerical employees will be paid an ex-gratia equivalent to 2% x 12 based on their December salary for 3 years, for period 2012 to 2014. SCBA has also agreed to grant one annual increment for employees who have reached their maximum pay range. Taken together, certain employees may enjoy close to 17% adjustment to their annual basic pay, not to mention the revision in Sarawak Allowance which would take retrospective effect from 1.1.2012.

Rates for other monetary benefits and allowances were also similarly reviewed and where appropriate, adjusted in line with the above increase.

SCBA also agreed to extend the retirement age of employees from 55 years to 60 years, subject to specified medical conditions.

At the signing ceremony, Encik Mohd Daud Abdul Hamid, President, SCBA and Encik Mohammad Azman Bin Abdul Hamid, Secretary, SCBA represented the Association. Puan Hadiah Leen, President, SBEU and Mr. Law Kiat Min, General Secretary, SBEU signed on behalf of the Union.  Puan Nora Manaf, President,  Malayan Commercial Banks’ Association and Encik August Buma, Director of Labor, Sarawak witnessed the signing ceremony. In their respective speech, all commended the negotiating teams for their professional conduct and their ability to come the Collective Agreement amicably. Special mention was made to acknowledge the progressive stand taken by the Union in promoting  and accepting value-add changes which would mutually benefit both the banks and the employees.

Among the Guests-of-Honor who attend this auspicious occasion were Puan Jamilah Putit, Director, Trade Union Department, Sarawak, Heads of HR, namely Puan Nor Rozita Nordin of Affin Bank,  Puan Hamidah Naziadin of CIMB, Mr. Vincent C J Ho of HSBC Bank, Ms. Marlene Goh of Public Bank, Heads of IR of member banks, EXCO members of SCBA and SBEU and a great number of Inter-Relations Committee members from various banks and media personnel.