Press Trust of India / Hyderabad Aug 06, 2009, 17:07 IST
Banking operations across Andhra Pradesh were hit today as employees of public sector banks struck work in protest against non-fulfillment of their long-pending demands on wage hike and pension options among others.
Around 50,000 employees under the aegis of the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) went on strike in the state as part of the two-day nationwide agitation, blaming the Indian Banks Association and the government for not conceding to bank union demands.
"Over 10,000 employees and officers went on strike in the city while more than 1,000 bankers participated in a centralised rally that converged into a demonstration at the premises of SBI Local Head Office in Koti area here," UFBU Convener K Ramakoteswara Rao told PTI.
"All banks in AP remained closed and the strike was total," he said.
Addressing the protesting bankers, Rao demanded the resignation of Chairman, IBA for not keeping the assurances given in the bilateral forums.
According to Rao, in pursuance of the call given by UFBU comprising nine unions/associations of different PSU banks and old generation private sector banks held protests and rallies in all major cities and towns in the state.
It is a pity that the Pubic Sector Banks, all over India have gone on two days nationwide strike from 06 August, 2009. While the bank employees who already enjoy pay, allowances and pension better than their counterparts in other organisations, this strike is tentamount holding the Indian nation to ransom. Apart from causing huge losses to the Industrial sector, the bank strike is causing untold miseries to the common man who can not carry out his daily banking transaction. Rising above selfish motives and maintaining the service discipline, bank employess should be more considerate and accommodative.