)
Banking transactions to the tune of Rs 10,000 crore was affected in Odisha due to the day long relay strike called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) demanding wage revision.
“About 40, 000 employees of about 3,000 PSU banks went on a relay strike in the state affecting business of about Rs 10, 000 crore as Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) is adamant on offering only 11 per cent wage hike. We have demanded further hike in wages at a meeting between IBA, Central government and bank unions held on December 1,” said Jyoti Bhushan Mohapatra, state convenor , UFBU.
UFBU is an umbrella organisation of nine unions of employees and officers of the banks. The unions include All India Bank Officers’ Confederation (AIBOC), National Confederation of Bank Employees (NCBE), All India Bank Officers’ Association (AIBOA), Bank Employees’ Federation of India (BEFI), Indian National Bank Employees’ Federation (INBEF), Indian National Bank Officers’ Congress (INBOC), National Organisation of Bank Workers (NOBW) and National Organisation of Bank Officers (NOBO).
Though the term of previous wage agreement expired on 31 October, 2012, the fresh wage revision agreement, due on November 1, 2012, is yet to be finalised. This time, at the meeting, the bank unions have softened their stand from the earlier demand of 23 per cent hike in wages.
The associations are willing to accept a hike offer of above 11 per cent as suggested by the IBA. Since authorities remain unmoved, UFBU has decided to observe one day relay strike on zone basis starting December 2 throughout the country. Today, along with all the banks in eastern zone, banks in Odisha remained closed, he added.
Apart from Odisha, banking transactions were affected in states like Jharkhand, West Bengal, Bihar, seven north east states and the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
As part of four-day relay strike to press for wage hike and other demands, public sector bank employees will go on strike in western region on Friday.
