SBoP employees to observe strike on Aug 18

Patiala, Aug 13 (UNI) The employees of State Bank of Patiala (SBOP) will observe a day's strike on August 18 to protest against the move to merge State Bank of Saurashtra with State Bank of India.

Officers Federation representing State Bank of India and Associate Banks today held a demonstration in front of head office of SBoP against the merger proposal of State Bank of Saurashtra with State Bank of India and demanding extension of SBI superannuation benefits to Associate Banks. More than 500 officers participated in the demonstration.

Amar Singh, General Secretary, Associate Banks Officers Association unit State Bank of Patiala while addressing the gathering stated that all officers of SBI and Associate Banks are on agitation on the issue of merger of the Associate Banks with SBI and all the offices and branches in State Bank Group (State Bank of India, State Bank of Patiala, State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur, State Bank of Hyderabad, State Bank of Travancore, State Bank of Mysore and State Bank of Saurasthra) will remain closed on account of full day strike by officers on August 18.

He cautioned the Indian Banks Association and the Central Government that if the demands were not settled to the satisfaction of officers and employees, the agitation would be intensified and the officers would go on an indefinite strike in the month of September.

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