Bank services in Bihar hit due to strike

Banking operations in Bihar was hit today after Public Sector bank employees in the state joined the relay strike call given by United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) for early signing of wage accord.
According to general secretary of Bihar Bank Employees Federation, J P Dixit, around 7,200 bank branches in the state remained closed and a majority of 4,878 ATMs stopped working after their cash got over.
"The strike has been total. It is a mark of unity across the banks and has instilled hope and enthusiasm among the employees that their wage revision will be taken seriously by the government and other agencies," Dixit told PTI.

Bank employees converged at their branches and shouted slogans in support of their demands. They also demanded regularisation of the services of contractual and daily wages workers.
Hundreds of bank employees staged a dharna at SBI Local Head Office in the state capital. It was led by Shaligram Sharma, the President of SBI wing of All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA).
Sharma said the bank employees' wages are revised every five years, but the latest one is due since November 1, 2012. The last wage revision was done in 2007.
SBI Staff Association General Secretary Umesh Prasad Singh pointed out that there have been 13 round talks on the issue and they have come to a naught so far.

BI Officers Association President Kamlesh Kumar Singh said the strike has been conducted peacefully at all the bank branches.