Transactions at public sector and cooperative banks came to a standstill on Wednesday as they observed a day’s strike in response to a call for an all India strike by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU).
Transactions to the tune of Rs.2,500 crore could not be carried out as 450 branches of 30 banks, 27 of them public sector banks, observed the strike. An estimated 5,000 to 6,000 employees from sweeper to scale three officers abstained from work.
UFBU called for the strike to press for wage revision due from November 1, 2012. While the Indian Banks’ Association, during the negotiations agreed for 11 per cent increase in pay components, the UFBU insisted on 23 per cent hike.
It has been decided to observe relay zonal strike in the southern region on December 2, northern region on December 4 and eastern region on December 5.
DemonstrationA huge demonstration was staged at SBI main branch, Jail Road Junction, by the bank employees. Addressing the protesters, UFBU convener J.P. Sarma said they would intensify their agitation if their demand was not conceded at the earliest. Leaders of various unions and associations P.S. Malleswara Rao, G. Ramachandra Rao, Seshagiri Rao, I. Kesava Rao, P. Sankar Raju and R.V. Ravi Kumar were present.
