Links with Global Unions is valuable; for banks engaged in Domestic Business
Experiences and knowledge gained by associating with finance industry trade unions affilaited to FIET helped NUBE Philippines to tackle the IT revolution challenges successfully in the Philippines banking industry in early 1980 said Jun Umali National President. He recalled experiences; as to how his union was encouraged to establish links with FIET founder organization of UNI by the banking industry trade unions in Malaysia and Singapore, during a meeting with UNI LCJ Finance Union leaders in Tokyo, Japan.
National President of National Union of Bank Employees (NUBE) Philippines Umali, complemented the pioneering initiative of Zenrokin to join UNI as the 1st Banking Sector affiliate from Japan, during the meeting held with the Zenrokin (Labour Bank Union) officials.Fukami, General Secretary of Zenrokin acknowledged the benefits accrued to his union through international affiliations. Learning from an experience of Korean Financial Union, Zenrokin is negotiating in this year’s bargaining, special leave for their members for fertility treatments, affirmed Fukami.
A delegation from NUBE Philippines visited Tokyo from 14 – 16 March 2016 to exchange views and experiences with UNI-LCJ Finance sector and its potential affiliates.
On 16 March, UNI-LCJ Finance organized a forum to learn about NUBE’s experience and contributions in the Philippines banking sector. Participants from FNIU, LIU, Rosai Roren (Labor Insurance Union), Zenshinren (Federation of Trust bank unions) and Shinsei Bank Union joined the forum. Jun Umali was proud that NUBE initiated the Banking Industry Tripartite Council following the Asian Financial Crisis as a tripartite dialogue mechanism that contributed to sustainable banking industry in Philippines. Expressed hope this will be a good model for other ASEAN countries.
NUBE also visited Shinsei Bank Union and the Federation of Second Tier Local Bank Unions (Zengin Rengo) to encourage them to be a part of the global cooperation for Finance sector unions. Among others, Jun Umali sought Zengin Rengo’s experience in organizing local banks as NUBE is planning to organize the rural banks in the Philippines.
Rainier Cruz from NUBE explained how actively the young union activists in the Philippines are engaged in social activities such as “Union Goes to Campus” and “Payatas Feeding Project” which helped youth to raise awareness, improve union’s social image and status and encourage their active participation to union work, in response to a query raised by Miyamoto Life Insurance Union Federation (LIU) Japan.
Masakazu Tahara, President of UNI-LCJ Finance concluded that UNI-LCJ Finance hopes to continue such meaningful exchanges with NUBE on future occasions.