Erstwhile SBOP staff join SBI union

Mahesh Sharma

Advertisement

Mandi Ahmedgarh, May 11

Workers of erstwhile associate banks, which have merged with the State Bank of India (SBI) recently, have started distancing themselves from outfits, which has been claiming to fight for their rights.

While some employees are still undecided about their future association, a majority of the award staff of the erstwhile State Bank of Patiala (SBOP) have joined the main union of the State Bank of India.

Apprehension of mass transfers due to expected closure of a large number of branches of the SBOP and deployment on trivial seats was stated to be major factor behind the tendency.

KK Khullar and Iqbal Singh Malhi, close associates of the general secretary of the State Bank of India Staff Association said over fifty per cent members of the award staff of the erstwhile SBOP had already undertaken to join the outfit after submitting revocation from their old unions.

Investigations revealed that failure of the top leadership of the SBOP Employees Union to get recognition from the management of the SBI following merger had virtually demoralised rank and file in the award staff of the SBOP.

Besides, closing the main office of the union, the management had refused to allow facility of deducting monthly subscription from salaries of employees. The SBOP Union had also transferred funds worth crores to a private nationalised bank.

Members of the award staff posted at Old Mandi Ahmedgarh, Malerkotla Road Dehlon, Bhutta and Karamsar branches of the erstwhile SBOP said they had decided to join the main union of the State Bank of India after being convinced about the positive policies of the outfit.

“We revoked our earlier union as its leaders had failed to watch our interests. Now, when we are employees of the SBI we feel that leaders of the main union will ensure congenial atmosphere by acting as a bridge between the management and our rights,” said employees of various branches.

Reacting to the situation, general secretary of the AISBIEF(SBP), Naresh Gaur, appealed to members of his union that they should remain confident and united even though the management had closed their offices and stopped deduction of the subscription of members from their salaries.

“Comrades, we are not a trade union existing on mercy of the management. These attacks are obvious for which we are prepared and well equipped,” read messages by Gaur to members of outfit led by him. He clarified that the union had sought intervention of the court of law in the matter.