Employees of the State Bank of India (SBI) across Gujarat will participate in a two-day nationwide strike on May 25 and 26 after the All-India State Bank of India Staff Federation (AISBISF) announced industrial action over pending employee-related issues and alleged violations of agreements by the bank management.Banking services at SBI branches across the state are likely to be affected during the strike period.
The federation said the decision was taken after repeated rounds of bilateral discussions failed to resolve long-pending matters. It alleged that several settlements and understandings had not been implemented, impacting both employees and the bank’s functioning.
Among the key demands are immediate recruitment of messengers and armed guards, restoration of inter-circle transfers for employees recruited from 2019 onwards, adequate staffing to address manpower shortages, and an end to outsourcing of permanent jobs.Nitesh Parmar, general secretary of the SBI Employees’ Union, Gandhinagar Circle, said the strike would be observed on May 27 instead if either of the announced strike dates coincides with a holiday.
The union has also demanded parity in wage revisions between workmen and officers, a review of the Career Progression Scheme pending since 2023, inclusion of all pay components in pension calculations for eligible retirees, and revision of the medical reimbursement scheme.
Other demands include appointment of a workmen employee director on the bank’s board, nomination of a provident fund trustee, resolution of HRMS-related issues, and steps to curb alleged mis-selling practices carried out in the name of cross-selling.