Bank employees to go on nationwide strike on December 2

Vadodara, Oct 24: Bank employees will observe a country-wide strike on December 2, a leading union said today. All-India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA) General Secretary C H Venkatchalam said the strike call is to press for addressing issues like de-linking associate banks from SBI and extending compassionate appointments as per government guidelines.

Separately, the State Sector Bank Employees Association (SSBEA) has also given a call for strike on two days (December 1 and 2) in SBI's associate banks, its Chairman Mahesh Mishra said.

SSBEA may go for an indefinite strike in associate banks to be followed by indefinite stir by AIBEA in all banks by end of December if their demands are not conceded by then, Mishra warned.

The other demands include increase in quantum of staff housing loans, recruitment of sub-staff and part-time employees and not imposing SBI service conditions and career progression in associate banks.

Venkatchalam said starting from October 26, there will be a series of agitations leading to the strike in early December.

"Instead of coming forward to negotiate with SSBEA and our unions, recently SBI management sent a fiat to all associate banks instructing them to implement SBI Career progression policy.

"This means the SBI management does not care for bilateralism or believe in discussions with the unions," he added.

PTI