PSB employees strike disrupts banking operations partially

Clerical staff stays off work for a day to protest violation of bilateral settlement agreement by associate banks of SBI

Banking operations in the country were partially hit, as a section of public sector bank employees went on strike for a day to protest violation of the bilateral settlement agreement by associate banks of SBI.

Public sector bank executives said branches were open as officer level personnel were at work. It is clerical staff that abstained from work.

Transactions on electronics platform went through smoothly. But cash transactions could not be done as clerical staff holds keys as they abstained from work, executives said.

Many customers airing displeasure over agitation said employees have right to fight for alleged discriminatory treatment. However, they (bank staff) can opt for methods to agitate which do not put customers at inconvenience. The alternate platforms (electronics channels) are helping to avail services.

Some of the services, like cash handling at branch level and clearing of checks were affected in the banks where presence of All India Bank Employees' Association (AIBEA) is strong.

As precautionary step, most of the banks had issued advisory to customers saying they will take necessary steps for smooth functioning of branches or offices on the day of strike.

The strike call was given on December 28 to protest violation of the bilateral settlement by five associate banks of the SBI and their attempt to force unilateral service conditions on the employees.

The five subsidiaries of SBI are State Bank of Travancore, State Bank of Mysore, State Bank of Patiala, State Bank of Hyderabad and State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur.

Unions said the bipartite agreement's conditions were changed without taking the employees union in confidence, and a career progression scheme was launched for associate bank employees without any agreement.

AIBEA has said that if the changes in service rules of associate banks are not withdrawn, they will hold an indefinite strike, and a special meeting has been called in Chennai on January 13.