**AIUCBEF Urges Immediate Convening of IR Policy Committee Meeting – 16 Long-Pending Issues Highlighted**
**Date: 3 July 2026**
In a strongly worded letter (Ref: AIUCBEF/GM & HRM /155/23-26) dated 3 July 2026, the All India UCO Bank Employees Federation (AIUCBEF) has once again requested the Chief General Manager (HRM, PSD, OL & Training) to convene the overdue IR Policy Committee Meeting at the earliest.
The last IR Policy Committee Meeting was held on 4 September 2024. The federation recalls that several important issues were kept pending after substantial discussions, with an understanding that they would be taken up after the review of the Promotion Policy (completed on 5 November 2024). However, more than 19 months have passed since the last meeting, and employee concerns continue to grow.
AIUCBEF has listed 16 key issues for detailed discussion in the forthcoming meeting. The major demands include:
– Finalisation of a scientific **Minimum Staffing Pattern** for the clerical cadre to address zero-clerk branches, frequent deputations, and unscientific manpower assessment.
– Streamlining of **inter-state transfers** so that employees waiting for over two years (particularly from Gujarat, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar and Maharashtra) can be relieved promptly.
– Comprehensive review of the **Request Transfer Policy** and **Deployment Policy**.
– Clear guidelines on the duties and accountability of **Senior CSA and Special CSA** in gold loan operations, including custody of gold safe keys.
– Payment of officiating allowance even for a single day when clerical staff officiate as Assistant Branch Heads.
– Implementation of revised minimum wages and bonus/ex-gratia for **daily wagers**.
– Resolution of long-pending **NCR-related administrative issues** and restructuring of jurisdiction for Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. – Early recruitment of **subordinate staff**, giving preference to long-serving daily wagers.
– Resolution of operational problems arising from **Finacle and biometric attendance systems**.
– Strengthening of HRM functioning at Zonal Offices with strict adherence to IR Policy, timely disposal of staff matters, and courteous engagement with union representatives.
– Constitution of a committee to resolve anomalies in fitment of **re-employed ex-servicemen**.
– Enhancement of **Closing Allowance** (unchanged since 2009) by at least 50%. – Provision of **air travel** for union representatives attending Apex and Zonal GR Meetings.
– Protection of daily wagers pending a comprehensive absorption policy. – Early implementation of the HRMS facility for
modification/withdrawal of transfer requests.
– Any other matter of mutual importance.
The letter, signed by **Partha Chanda, General Secretary**, emphasises that these issues have been discussed extensively in the past and urgent resolution is needed in the interest of both the bank and its employees.
**Full Letter Text**
ALL INDIA UCO BANK EMPLOYEES FEDERATION
(AFFILIATED TO AIBEA) REG. NO. 3489/CNI
10, BTM SARANI, 2nd Floor, KOLKATA – 700001
REGD OFFICE: CHENNAI (UCO Bank, 328, Thambu Chetty Street, Chennai-600001) Email ID: AIUCBEF.IN@GMAIL.COM / STAFFUNIONWB@GMAIL.COM
Mob No. 9830018941/7003608652
Ref No. AIUCBEF/GM & HRM /155/23-26 Dated 03/07/2026
The Chief General Manager
HRM, PSD, OL & Training
Head Office
Dear Sir,
Sub: Request for Convening the IR Policy Committee Meeting
We invite your kind reference to our earlier communication No. AIUCBEF/GM & HRM/138/2326 dated 24.12.2025 , as well as the
discussions held with the Management on various occasions. We once again request you to kindly convene the IR Policy Committee Meeting , the last meeting having been held on 4th September, 2024 falling overdue.
During the last meeting, it was mutually agreed that discussions on the following pending issues, on which substantial deliberations had already taken place, would be resumed after completion of the review of the Promotion Policy, which was considered an immediate
administrative priority. The review of the Promotion Policy was subsequently concluded on 5th November, 2024 . Accordingly, the remaining issues were kept on hold with an understanding that they would be taken up at the earliest opportunity.
In view of the considerable lapse of time and the growing concerns of employees, we request that the following issues be included in the agenda for detailed discussions:
1. Policy for Minimum Staffing Pattern in the Clerical Cadre
The need to finalize a scientific staffing policy has become increasingly urgent. Ever since the discussions were discontinued when they were nearing conclusion, complaints have continued to mount regarding:
– Deployment of clerical staff from one branch to another in the name of surplus and requirement without any objective assessment.
– Frequent deputation of clerical staff, causing considerable hardship.
– Undue delay in filling up vacant Functional Allowance posts.
– Non-relieving of clerical staff for months or even years despite consideration of their transfer requests or selection to Functional Allowance posts.
– Unscientific assessment of clerical manpower while placing indents with IBPS and allocating staff among States and Zones.
There is, therefore, an urgent need to review the existing Deployment Policy and formulate a rational Minimum Staffing Policy based on business volume, active accounts and other branch-specific activities.
During discussions held between February 2021 and July 2022 , the following tentative framework had broadly emerged:
1. Up to 5,000 active accounts – One CSA.
2. Above 5,000 and up to 10,000 active accounts – Two CSAs.
3. Above 10,000 active accounts – Three CSAs.
4. Administrative Offices, Specialized Branches and Clearing Hubs – Requirement-based staffing.
5. Appropriate placement of Special CSAs.
2. Inter-State Transfers and Assessment of Vacancies
While the Bank has been considerate in approving inter-state transfer requests, employees are often not relieved for prolonged periods due to ‘non-availability’ of substitutes. This has become a major concern in States such as Gujarat, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar and Maharashtra, where employees have been waiting for over two years.
We suggest that:
– The Bank should first assess all pending inter-state transfer requests before placing recruitment indents with IBPS.
– Once the details about the number from each state is known , Bank should consider transfers before the assessment and arrive at the number in both for the states from where transfers are considered and for the states to which transfers are considered.
– Thus a clear picture will emerge on the need of each state after taking into account of “ from / to” number and accordingly allotment can be made to the states by placing the indent to IBPS.
Thus, It will, not only help the employees to get relieved in time, soon after substitutes are available , but also will help the bank avoiding mis-match between states and their needs.
3. Review of Request Transfer Policy and Deployment Policy
The existing policies require comprehensive review in line with earlier discussions. Particular attention may be given to:
1. Revising eligibility criteria for inter-state transfers.
2. Framing appropriate cut-off dates for consideration of requests.
3. Providing ranking provision in HRMS for modification or withdrawal of transfer requests within the prescribed cut-off date.
4. Issuing uniform guidelines for timely relieving of employees.
4. Duties of CSA and Senior CSA in Gold Loan Operations
The duties attached to Functional Allowance posts, particularly Senior Customer Associate (Cash) , require proper clarification.
At present, Senior CSAs are often compelled to:
– Hold keys of gold packets and gold safes.
– Perform all functions relating to gold loans with accountability there on.
– Continue working beyond normal office hours on a regular basis.
Similarly, Special CSAs are frequently required to handle safe keys in addition to their assigned responsibilities.
We reiterate our request that:
– Wherever separate gold safe vault exists, custody of keys should rest with officers.
– In other branches, separate gold safes should be provided wherever feasible.
– Senior CSAs should not be required to sign Annexure-D, Annexure-D1 or similar documents where officers are available to discharge such responsibilities.
Although the Management had assured necessary clarification more than a year ago, the recent Gold Loan Circular does not adequately reflect this understanding.
5. Officiating in Officer Cadre
Clerical staff officiating as Assistant Branch Heads are entrusted with significant responsibilities, including handling sensitive matters and remaining in the branch until closure.
However, officiating allowance is payable only when officiating exceeds four days in a month, resulting in employees performing higher responsibilities without commensurate compensation.
We suggest:
– Comprehensive guidelines defining duties and responsibilities during officiating.
– Payment of officiating allowance even for a single day’s
officiating, or alternatively, overtime compensation for late sitting.
6. Uniform Wage Structure and Bonus for Daily Wagers
The Bank should ensure implementation of revised minimum wages notified by the Central Government under the Minimum Wages Act.
Further, daily wagers should be paid bonus under the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965, or ex gratia equivalent wherever applicable, in conformity with statutory provisions.
7. NCR-related Issues
There is growing dissatisfaction among our members in Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh due to the prevailing administrative approach at Delhi Zonal Office.
Repeated representations have unfortunately not received satisfactory attention. We have already submitted a detailed proposal regarding restructuring the administrative jurisdiction of NCR branches.
Employees recruited in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana but administratively controlled by Delhi Zonal Office continue to face avoidable hardships in matters relating to increments, leave, LFC, staff loans and other service matters.
We propose that all matters relating to Award Staff should be dealt with by the respective Zonal Offices, with due coordination and information shared with Delhi Zonal Office wherever necessary.
8. Recruitment of Subordinate Staff
As few Public Sector Banks have already initiated recruitment, our Bank may also commence the process, keeping in view the interests of daily wagers who have been working against permanent vacancies for several years. As per our information Bank of Baroda has already initiated the process of recruiting substaff which may be confirmed from your end.
Initially, recruitment may be considered for:
– One permanent Senior Office Assistant in every Currency Chest Branch.
– One Senior Office Assistant in every Branch office, Administrative Office and Specialized Branch.
– One additional Senior OA in all Very Large and above category branches.
9. Finacle-related Issues and Biometric Attendance
Operational issues arising out of Finacle and biometric attendance systems, which adversely affect routine functioning and customer service, will be submitted separately for discussion.
10. Functioning of HRM at Zonal Offices
There is a need to strengthen accountability at Zonal Offices by issuing suitable guidelines covering:
– Timely disposal of LFC, TA Bills and Staff Loan applications.
– Strict adherence to the IR Policy while conducting GR Meetings.
– Implementation of understandings reached during GR Meetings.
– Timely disposal of routine staff matters such as increments, compassionate appointments, LFC and filling Functional Allowance vacancies.
– Courteous and constructive engagement with Union representatives.
– Effective implementation of the IR Policy in both letter and spirit.
Further:
– Zonal Offices should regularly report compliance regarding GR Meetings to Head Office.
– Local issues should ordinarily be resolved at the Zonal level.
– Union representatives should be associated with follow-up action arising out of GR Meetings.
11. Committee for Re-employed Ex-servicemen
A Committee may kindly be constituted to examine and resolve the anomalies observed/reported in the fitment of re-employed
ex-servicemen.
12. Revision of Closing Allowance
The Closing Allowance has remained unchanged since its introduction in 2009. We request that it be enhanced by at least 50% .
13. Air Fare for Union Representatives
Union representatives attending Apex and Zonal GR Meetings may kindly be extended air travel facilities in line with the treatment accorded by IBA to representatives participating in Industry-level Bipartite Meetings.
14. Protection of Daily Wagers
Pending formulation of a comprehensive absorption policy, the Bank may advise all Zones to:
– Ensure payment of statutory minimum wages.
– Ensure payment of bonus or ex gratia equivalent in accordance with applicable law.
15. HRMS Facility for Modification of Transfer Requests
During the last GR Meeting, it was assured that HRMS would provide an enabling facility for employees to modify or withdraw transfer requests before the prescribed cut-off date. Unfortunately, the facility is yet to be implemented, causing considerable hardship to employees. We request that this matter be addressed on priority.
16. Any Other Matter
Any other issue of mutual importance may also be taken up with the permission of the Chair.
Sir, the above issues have been pending for a considerable period despite extensive discussions and assurances. We, therefore, earnestly request you to appreciate the urgency of the situation and kindly convene the IR Policy Committee Meeting at the earliest so that these important matters may be discussed in a meaningful and constructive manner, leading to mutually acceptable decisions in the interest of both the Bank and its employees.
We look forward to your positive response.
Thanking you,
Yours sincerely,
(Partha Chanda)
General Secretary
doc_45a38a03398b_AIUCBEF_Ltr_to_CGM_155_for_IR_Policy_Meeting-1.pdf