Malaysian Commercial Bank Association (MCBA) is keeping mum on the outcome of its meeting with Human Resources Minister Dr Fong Chan Onn in Putrajaya yesterday although the banks' union consider it an urgent matter.

Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC) secretary-general G Rajasekaran said the details of the meeting remain a "mystery" although a ministry source had informed him that the banks have agreed to set up the 'special account' to replace the National Union of Bank Employees (NUBE) existing account.

NUBE, with 28,000 members nationwide, is an affiliate under the MTUC.

"But I did not get the details on the meeting's outcome, which the officer told me that there were conditions imposed," Rajasekaran told malaysiakini when contacted this evening.

He said the MCBA should immediately inform the bank union or MTUC if it is sincere in resolving the issue and not leave the task to the minister.

"It looks like the bank association is purposely delaying the matter because time is running out on our side," he said, adding that banks are expected to pay its salary before Dec 20 in view of Christmas festival on Dec 25.

Announcement tomorrow

However, he said the minister is expected to make the announcement by tomorrow.

The next pay day is crucial for the union if it were to avoid the lapse in three consecutive months fee payment which could cause it to dissolve. The banks, citing legality, stopped the long held practice of automatic union fee deduction or 'check off' facility from the salaries of unionised bank staff two months ago after the NUBE leadership split into two factions in July.

"We are worried that there will be unreasonable condition imposed over the setting up of the special account because we wanted to settle the matter as soon as possible," added Rajasekaran.

The secretary-general said he was very disappointed with the manner MCBA is handling the matter which reflect its union-busting attitude.

"If they are in communication with us, then a lot of matter could be resolved quickly and amicably," said Rajasekaran, who had told NUBE to suspend all actions against the employers this week.

New agreement due

Last month, NUBE members in several banks nationwide picketed and worked-to-rule to protest what they saw as their employers' move to kill the union before the next collective agreement is due.

Malaysiakini learned that MCBA officials have refused to talk to the press over the matter when contacted at its office for comment.

MCBA is made up of Maybank, Arab Malaysia Bank, Bank Utama, Bank Simpanan Nasional, Bumiputra Commerce, EON Bank, Hong Leong, Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank, Alliance Bank, Affin Bank, Public Bank, Southern Bank and Standard Chartered.

Yesterday, NUBE president Abdul Jalil Abdul Hamid said the bank association should not come up with any more excuses after the meeting, if it were sincere about resolving outstanding union issues with employees.

He said NUBE has done its part to find an amicable solution after meeting the minister yesterday.