Bank officers say no to strike
Mumbai, Sep 6: Banking operations are not likely to be totally affected by tomorrow's strike called by central trade unions, as officers from the State Bank of India as also from other banks, will not join the strike. "Bank officers will not join the general strike call given by central trade unions tomorrow," All India State Bank Officers' Federation and All India Bank Officers' Confederation Ge-neral Secretary GD Nadaf said in a statement here.
The officers federation would, however, extend "fraternal support" to the striking workers, he said.
According to him, only two bank unions—the All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA) and Bank Employees Federation of India (BEFI)—are participating in tomorrow's strike.
Tomorrow's strike has been called by central trade unions like INTUC, AITUC, CITU, HMS, HMKP, UTUC and various industry-wise federations covering banks, insurance, oil, coal, defence, civil aviation, Port Trusts, public sector companies, Central and State Govt employees, taxis and auto rickshaws, anganwadi unions and domestic workers unions, among others.
The strike has been called to protest against price rise, massive job losses in the name of recession, violations of labour laws and disinvestment in public sector units, among others.
The All India Bank Employees Association (AIB- EA), which is participating in the strike, is opposed to FDI in private sector banks, entry of foreign banks into the country and amendment in the Banking Regulation Act which seeks removal of 10 per cent cap on voting rights, the Association said in a statement.
AIBEA Secretary Vish-was Utagi said network of public sector banks should be expanded. Opposing consolidation of public sector banks, the AIBEA said the need of the hour is to expand public sector banks' network from 40,000 bran-ches to one lakh branches pan-India. PTI