National Union of Bank Employees (Nube) members have stopped wearing their protest badges after a meeting with Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

In a statement today, Nube general-secretary J Solomon said the national executive council had met Abdullah at his residence for hi-tea on Monday.

“The council and 135 Nube members met the PM for 50 minutes. It was a historical event for Nube,” he added.

According to Solomon, Abdullah had asked Nube to call off the wearing of the badges by Tuesday.

“Upon the request of the PM, the Nube executive council unanimously decided to remove all badges and slogans of protest with immediate effect,” he said.

During the meeting, Solomon said Abdullah had advised them on their role in nation-building and listened to the challenges faced by the employees.

Pak Lah ‘surprised’

“He appeared surprised when he heard that the lowest paid salary was RM662 in the banking industry.

“(He) sympathised with the 25,000 Nube members and gave an assurance that the issues would be looked into and resolved in the near future,” he added.

Also present at the meeting was Second Finance Minister Nor Mohamed Yakcop.

Relations between Nube and the government soured in recent months most notably when the union lodged a police report against Human Resources Minister Dr Fong Chan Onn over his disparaging remarks against Nube.

Nube said Fong had also defamed the union by implying that it was encouraging ‘illegal actions’ in picketing for higher wages, bonus and a cost of living allowance (Cola).

From Sept 11 until Oct 9 last year, Nube members conducted pickets in several states throughout the country to express their dissatisfaction against bank managements for refusing to increase employee benefits.

Their campaign included bright red and yellow protest badges worn by staff on and off duty.