A sigh of relief for customers, bank strike deferred and operations on 26th and 27th of September are set be normal. Four bank unions had announced a two-day bank strike that would have resulted in banks to remain open only 3 days this week.
Banks had called on strike against government’s decision to merge 10 Public Sector Banks (PSB) into four to preserve identity of each bank.
Assurances from the Government
The bank unions met Mr Rajeev Kumar, Finance Secretary, who gave assurances on mergers and wage revisions of bank employees. The bank union deferred the strike in consideration of workable solution on the issues.
Bank Union and their Issues
Bank union, supported by 4 lakh bank employees throughout India, includes All India Bank officers Confederation (AIBOC), Indian National Bank Officers Congress (INBOC), All India Bank Officers Association (ABOA) and National Organisation of Bank Officers (NOBO).
In addition to bank merger issue, the bank union is demanding for improvement in wage structure and service conditions under section 17(A) of PC Act.
In addition, introduction of full 5 day week, reduction of cash transaction hours, retired bank employee issues and scrapping sale of third party products.
Bank Strike in Future?
In their statement, the union used the word “deferred” instead abandoned which means they will go on strike in future if the banks do not meet their demands.