Strike cripples work in banks

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, December 3

The Punjab Bank Employees Federation held its zonal strike in support of their demands here today.

Branches of northern zone banks, employees and officers of the Amritsar district observed a full-day strike on the call given by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU). The relay strike crippled all financial transactions and business in the border district.

The agitating employees sought immediate settlement of wage revision. The strike was complete in branches of all banks thus bringing the work of district branches to a grinding halt.

The striking bank employees assembled at Town Hall and staged a demonstration, which later culminated into a rally. They raised slogans against retrograde policies of the BJP run Union government.

While addressing the employees, speakers condemned the anti-public sector, pro-corporate policies of the Union Government and unduly delay in wage revision. They sought immediate halt in banking reforms, which they said were detrimental to the interest of the people.

“Due to their adamant and un-compromising attitude, the UFBU has been forced to go on zonal relay strikes starting from December 2, which will conclude on December 5,” said Ravi Razdan, secretary of the Punjab Bank Employees Federation.

He said, wages and service conditions in the banking industry were governed by the industry level bi-partite settlement signed by the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) and workmen unions and officers associations operating in the banking industry.

The wage revision for bank employees is due from November 1, 2012. The common charter of demands, separately for workmen and officers, were submitted by the UFBU to the IBA on October 30, 2012.

The striking leaders regretted and apologised inconvenience on account of strike to customers, general public and appealed for their support to their demand for adequate wage revision.

The rally concluded with the expression of gratitude to all the striking employees, who had assembled at the Town Hall, by Roop Lal Mehra, president of the federation.