Sunday Times 2
Concern over rapid erosion of pensions by spiralling prices
I’m pleased to hear the Federation of State Banks’ Pensioners’ Associations made arrangements to celebrate the National Pensioners Day at a scale benefitting the association. I’m pleased when the Federation invited me to send in a message for the celebrations on October 8 at the New Town Hall, Colombo. Let me in response recollect on this occasion some of my encounters with the then CBEU in the finalisation of the first collective agreement way back in the 1980s which may be of interest to the State Banks’ Pensioners; many of them were young then but are quite old now.
It was certainly one of the most challenging tasks I have had not only as the Chairman, Bank of Ceylon, but perhaps in my entire professional career. In retrospect, I take much satisfaction that I was able to negotiate a reasonable solution at a time of grave unrest both in the South and the North in this country.
For whatever reason, the Chairmen of the other two state banks entrusted the negotiations entirely to me with Mr. L. Piyasena, the Chairman of the National Savings Bank, being there for moral support and perhaps to sober me, if necessary. May I take this opportunity to say what a fine gentleman he was! Some of you will remember him fondly as I do.
Yes, it was a daunting task. I was not even an amateur in trade union matters, labour regulations and the intricacies of the salary structures etc. In contrast the Ceylon Bank Employees Union was represented by seasoned trade unionists who knew the rules, regulations and intricacies of wage determination. The outstanding characteristic of those negotiations led by Mr. T. Rusiripala on behalf of the Ceylon Banks Employees Union was politeness and courtesy with which the discussions were conducted even though there were disagreements most of the time.
On the other hand, I was not negotiating for myself but the government. Therefore I had to convince the Hon. Minister of Finance Mr. Ronnie de Mel and His Excellency the President J R Jayewardene of whatever we agreed upon. They were both concerned about the cost of salary increases as well as the repercussion of the salary increases may have on salaries of other state employees and on inflation. It was not an easy task to convince them, especially at a time of insurgency and terrorism that preoccupied us all.
While the negotiations were at the late and crucial stage, I recall one Saturday in March when President Jayewardene had called to ask me to meet him. He was informed that I was at the “Royal-Thomian” and could not be contacted. With his own background as a Royal College cricketer, he understood my priority. Furthermore, I was watching the match with Mr. Ronnie de Mel.
In retrospect, it was fortuitous that I did not meet the President that Saturday as I felt he had mellowed down and listened to my case patiently on Monday morning. A few days later he agreed to the proposed salary increases that I have negotiated. I think the acceptance of the salary increases was of national importance at the time far beyond the wellbeing of bank employees.
As a pensioner myself, I am fully aware of the rapid erosion of pensions by spiralling prices. What appeared to be good pension at the time of retirement soon becomes inadequate for one’s livelihood. I am sorry to have to experience that the pensioners sometimes becomes victims of ad-hoc formulas and ill-conceived new schemes and shoddy tinkering with the time tested pensions schemes. The chaos, discriminations and loss of goodwill resulting from such decisions would have serious consequences on the employers themselves on the one hand and disturb the otherwise reclusive minds of pensioners and create dissension within the rank and file of the in-service staff on the other.
These I believe are some of the challenging issues your Federation seeks to address as a formidable organisation within the State Banking sector and I wish you every success in your endeavours.
Also, I wish all of you a gainful and fulfilling retirement. My advice to you is to keep yourselves physically and mentally active. Enjoy life with activities you like to do and did not have time to devote during your busy working days
| Federation of State Bank Pensioners’ Association office bearers: President: Asoka Perera (BOC) |