The Bombay High Court at Aurangabad ruled in favor of the All India Bank of Maharashtra Employees Federation, allowing retired employees who hold union office bearer positions to participate in the bank's grievance redressal committee meetings. This judgment, delivered on August 2, 2024, by Justices Ravindra V. Ghuge and Y. G. Khobragade, overturned a clause in the bank's policy that restricted participation to only serving employees. The court's decision is aligned with a precedent set by the Calcutta High Court, which upheld the rights of retired union officials to represent their members.

1. Introduction
   The case involves the All India Bank of Maharashtra Employees Federation challenging a specific clause in the Employees Grievance Redressal Policy that barred retired employees from participating in grievance redressal meetings.

2. Background of the Case
   The bank's policy, implemented in November 2019, restricted participation in the grievance redressal committee to only serving employees. The petitioner argued that this exclusion was unjust, particularly for retired employees who were still elected office bearers of the union.

3. Arguments Presented
   The petitioner referenced a similar case ruled by the Calcutta High Court, where it was determined that retired employees could continue to serve as union office bearers and participate in discussions and negotiations with bank management.

4. Court's Decision
   The court ruled in favor of the petitioner, quashing the restrictive clause and directing the Bank of Maharashtra to allow retired union office bearers to participate in grievance redressal meetings. The decision emphasized that the choice of representation should remain with the union members, not the bank's management.

5. Impact of the Judgment
   This ruling reinforces the rights of union members to elect their representatives, regardless of their employment status, ensuring that retired employees can continue to advocate for their colleagues effectively.