New Delhi: Banking operations across the country were disrupted Friday with over one million members of the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) representing public, private and foreign banks going on a day-long strike.
The UFBU, an umbrella organisation of nine different trade unions of bank officers and employees, had called the strike to protest government plans to merge state-owned banks, outsource many of the non-core activities and not to make fresh permanent appointments in non-essential areas.
Banking sources said with no compromise having been worked out during last minute talks with the chief labour commissioner in the Capital, the UFBU decided to go ahead with the strike plans, hitting all money transaction activities.
"Except the non-unionised staff (contract employees), over one million members, including officers, have gone on a strike," said general secretary of the All India Bank Employees Association, C H Venkatachalam.
"While foreign banks are operating, their unionised members are supporting us," he added.
Among issues cited for the strike is the government decision not to provide employment on compassionate grounds but to recruit only on the basis of merit.
The government, according to the striking bank employees, has not been receptive to the demand to allow them to switch over from the provident fund scheme to a contributory pension scheme.
The UFBU is also seeking fresh recruitments to over 100,000 posts that have over the years been filled on contract basis.
The unions are also opposed to any plans for giving full voting rights to foreign banks picking up stake in Indian banks.
"This is a warning protest strike. We will be meeting again on November 9 for chalking out further plans," said Venkatachalam.
Reports from Jalandhar said bank employees in the city gathered in front of their respective branches and raised any government slogans.
Later on, the employees took out a procession in different parts of the city and marched up to the main branch of State Bank of India, where a rally was held during which union leaders addressed the gathering.
Source : IBNLIVE
The UFBU, an umbrella organisation of nine different trade unions of bank officers and employees, had called the strike to protest government plans to merge state-owned banks, outsource many of the non-core activities and not to make fresh permanent appointments in non-essential areas.
Banking sources said with no compromise having been worked out during last minute talks with the chief labour commissioner in the Capital, the UFBU decided to go ahead with the strike plans, hitting all money transaction activities.
"Except the non-unionised staff (contract employees), over one million members, including officers, have gone on a strike," said general secretary of the All India Bank Employees Association, C H Venkatachalam.
"While foreign banks are operating, their unionised members are supporting us," he added.
Among issues cited for the strike is the government decision not to provide employment on compassionate grounds but to recruit only on the basis of merit.
The government, according to the striking bank employees, has not been receptive to the demand to allow them to switch over from the provident fund scheme to a contributory pension scheme.
The UFBU is also seeking fresh recruitments to over 100,000 posts that have over the years been filled on contract basis.
The unions are also opposed to any plans for giving full voting rights to foreign banks picking up stake in Indian banks.
"This is a warning protest strike. We will be meeting again on November 9 for chalking out further plans," said Venkatachalam.
Reports from Jalandhar said bank employees in the city gathered in front of their respective branches and raised any government slogans.
Later on, the employees took out a procession in different parts of the city and marched up to the main branch of State Bank of India, where a rally was held during which union leaders addressed the gathering.
Source : IBNLIVE