Dear ABBOA members,
Meeting between ABBOA and the Human Resource Affinbank held at the Industrial Relation Department, Wisma Perkeso, Jalan Ampang on 18 March 2009. ABBOA were represented by The President, Assistant General Secretary and Treasurer whereas Encik Izzuddin and Encik Anini represented Affin Bank.
The main agenda of the meeting pertains to trade dispute filed by ABBOA at Industrial Department on 27 November 2008 due to the following reasons :-
1. No mandate given to the Bank's negotiator
Meeting between ABBOA and the Human Resource Affinbank held at the Industrial Relation Department, Wisma Perkeso, Jalan Ampang on 18 March 2009. ABBOA were represented by The President, Assistant General Secretary and Treasurer whereas Encik Izzuddin and Encik Anini represented Affin Bank.
The main agenda of the meeting pertains to trade dispute filed by ABBOA at Industrial Department on 27 November 2008 due to the following reasons :-
1. No mandate given to the Bank's negotiator
2. Bank failed to forward their counter proposals for the 1st Collective Agreement (CA)
3. Non compliance to the ground rules/procedure.
After hearing statements from both parties, Industrial Relation Department (IRD) had advised both parties to commence negotiation immediately in view that the Bank has forwarded the counter proposal on 13 March 2009, despite the IRD having acknowledged that the Bank took six months to do so. They also advised the Bank to adhere the common negotiation procedures.
ABBOA was too given advise i.e. to give the CA negotiations a try, at least two or three rounds. If there is no agreement between both parties, ABBOA then can again according to the Industrial Relation Act 1967 invoke the matter as trade dispute under section 18 of the said Act. What happen next ?
1. Industrial Relations Federal Territory branch will call both parties for conciliatory meeting
2. Escalate to Director General, Industrial Relations Department if both parties are still unable to compromise
3. Escalate to Human Resource Minister
4. Refer to Industrial Court
The above is the standard procedure we should abide the act before going to the Industrial Court. As impatient as we are to conclude the CA and get what we deserve, please be informed that we MUST follow the CA procedures and the law to avoid being reprimanded by IRD and have our case from being thrown out by the Industrial Court. Do bear in mind, these processes took months to resolve.
We noted majority of ABBOA members has agreed and ready to protest and picket to show their frustration being victimized by the Management. We hope you guys keep the BURNING FIRE alive and must show it when the EXCO call for it. However, the law permit us to protest ONLY WHEN the reconciliation process HAS FAILED and both parties disagree to compromise.
None of ABBOA Exco has the intention to delay our 1st CA because each of us are also effected but we must follow the process. Let me emphasize that the negotiation is not an easy task and to conclude a collective agreement is not an overnight job.
Lately, we received a lot of 'flak' in the ABBOA blog. The Exco has and always will give priority to ABBOA in fighting for members right. As such, we the EXCO need your encouragement and support. Holding the position of EXCO meant that we will always be blamed for all things that go wrong and the last to receive any compliments. As EXCO, we accept this as part of the downside for doing voluntary work for the good of all. However, it does not hurt if you as members show us encouragement and some kind words.
We believed the members that we represent are matured enough to deal with the situation. We will update the members the progress from time to time.
Thanks
