The leader of a faction of the National Union of Bank Employees (NUBE) Muhammad Fauzi Shamsuddin has denied any involvement in scrapping the check-off facility of union members.

The check-off facility is an understanding between a trade union and an employer for the automatic deduction of union subscription from members' monthly salary.

When contacted today, Muhammad Fauzi said he also had nothing to do with the ongoing picket in protest of the Malayan Commercial Banks Association (MCBA) decision to halt the check-off about two months ago.

Membership is automatically lost if subscription is not paid for three consecutive months.

"No way are we involved in this. In fact, we are advising members against getting involved."

Recognising the root of the problem as a leadership struggle within the NUBE, he said the banks' move was "for their own protection".

"Anyway, the check-off is an understanding between the banks and our members. Since the stoppage, NUBE branches have reverted to collecting the subscription manually," he said.

"Once the leadership crisis is resolved, the banks will resume the check-off facility."

Line clear

Yesterday, NUBE deputy president Abdul Zaman Abdullah claimed that two expelled union officials were in collusion with the MCBA in stopping the check-off, prompting a nationwide picket by members.

While Muhammad Fauzi's group has laid claim to the leadership mantle based on the director-general of trade union's records, the other group led by NUBE general secretary J Solomon is also defending similar claims.

The leadership crisis began when Solomon was removed from his post, accused of incompetence, and further barred from holding any posts in the union. Later, he was granted an injunction by the High Court returning him as the general secretary.

Pursuant to that, the High Court ruled that it had no jurisdiction but Solomon has appealed to the Federal Court on a point of law.

"At present, there is no suit pending in court to determine the legitimacy of the union's office-bearers because those wishing to challenge it have to first challenge their removal.

"As of now, they have no locus standi because they are no longer NUBE members," said one of Solomon's aides.

Proposed compromise

Muhammad Fauzi was also concerned about the collection of subscription fees since the leadership dispute erupted more than a year ago.

He said previously, the monies were deposited by banks into the NUBE's account in Bumiputra-Commerce Bank Berhad, but this account has been temporarily suspended.

"Now, Solomon's group has managed to open a new account in Ambank and the fees are going there. We are only concerned over members' money falling into the wrong hands."

Referring to his meeting with the Human Resources Ministry secretary-general on Wednesday, he said the ministry was toying with a proposal to get both factions to agree to certain terms and conditions for the sake of members.

"I have no problems with that. Furthermore, this whole leadership dispute was never our fault to begin with. But if both groups can agree on some points, the banks will resume the check-off."

After 18 years of existence, the 28,000-strong union elected its office bearers for the first time in July this year. Previous office bearers were appointed within a committee.

Yesterday, about 500 union members from various banks picketed outside HSBC Bank Malaysia Bhd head office in Kuala Lumpur to protest the stopping of the check-off facility.

MCBA president Nik Hassan Nik Mohd Amin was unavailable for comments today.

However, Nik Hassan, who is also Bumiputra-Commerce Bank Berhad vice president (policy control department), had said that the move on the check-off was based on advice to banks of the legal consequences, including contempt proceedings if they were seen as giving legitimacy to one of the disputing factions.