Bank employees go on nationwide strike; banking services likely to be hit

All India Bank Employees` Association (AIBEA) has called for a one-day nation-wide strike on Friday (January 8) to protest against the `unfair` policies adopted by SBI with respect to its five associate banks.

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: A section of public sector banks' employees is observing a one-day strike across the country on Friday to protest violation of bilateral settlement agreement by associate banks of State Bank of India.

However, officer grade of employees will not take part in the strike called by All India Bank Employees' Association (AIBEA), one of the nine employee organisations of public sector banks.

Private sector banks and country's largest lender SBI will continue to function normally.

As precautionary measures, most of the banks, including United Bank of India, has issued advisory to their customers saying they will take all necessary steps in terms of existing guidelines for smooth functioning of branches or offices on the day of strike, in the event it materialises on January 8.

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.

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.

With Agency Inputs