Employees of all public sector banks in Gujarat, in a show of solidarity, abstained from work on Friday in response to the call for a day-long token strike by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU). Throughout the state, all public sector bank branches including over 510 branches of the State bank of India remained closed thereby paralysing banking activities in Gujarat.
The strike was called in protest against mergers and outsourcing in the banking sector and to press for restoration of compassionate appointment policy, to resolve the second option of pension, recruitments in banks and early settlement of wage revision.
According to a statement issued by UFBU?s Ahmedabad branch, workmen and officers of the State Bank of Saurashtra also joined the strike despite the fact that it is on the verge of a merger with the State Bank of India. Employees of private sector bank IDBI also joined the strike though it is not a member of the UFBU.
The strike also crippled clearing house functions across the state. Demonstrations were held where over 2,500 employees and officers participated. Trade union leaders threatened that if their demands were not met, a series of strikes would take place ?if all demands of the unions are not accepted amicably by the banks and the government?.