AIBEA Calls Series of Nationwide Strikes in Public, Private Banks for 6 Days in Dec

New Delhi: Bank employees under the banner of All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA), one of the biggest unions in the sector, have announced a series of nationwide strikes for six days -- from December 4-11. The employees are demanding adequate recruitments and a stop to outsourcing of permanent jobs in banks. 

#BankStrike#2lakhbankjobs #bankrecruitment #AIBEA pic.twitter.com/YkbNeE87kK

— CH VENKATACHALAM (@ChVenkatachalam) November 14, 2023

Tweeting the dates of the strikes across the country, AIBEA general secretary C H Venkatachalam announced that a notification had been issued that there will be a strike which will be held by the employees of various banks and both government and private bank employees will take part in it. 

According to the notification, on December 4, a nationwide strike will be held by Punjab National Bank, State Bank of India and Punja and Sind Bank. On December 5 in Bank of Baroda and Bank of India, on December 6 in Canara Bank and Central Bank, on December 7 in Indian Bank and Uco Bank, and on December 8, Union Bank of India and Bank of Maharashtra employees across the country will go on strike.

On December 11, there will be an all- India strike in private banks, as per the notification, posted by AIBEA on X (formerly Twitter).

 According to a report in Mint, Venkatachalam said outsourcing of jobs by some of the banks were putting privacy of customers and their money at risk apart from reduction in recruitment at the lower level.

The AIBEA general secretary also alleged that some banks were violating the Industrial Disputes (Amendment) Act. 

“Even where the labour authorities have intervened, the management has ignored their advice, violated the provisions of Industrial Disputes Act and forcibly transferred the employees” he had told Mint newspaper. 

Notably, there was a call for a ‘flash strike; in banks by AIBEA on November 13, which was deferred. 

12-11-2023

Dear Comrades,

Further to our messages and the Circular regarding FLASH STRIKE on 13-11-2023 and the discussions with our MD, ED, COO, CBO and 6 General Managers had with us yesterday, today it was further discussed with ED by us and AIBEA General Secretary and the…

— CH VENKATACHALAM (@ChVenkatachalam) November 12, 2023

Posting on X, Venkatachalam had said the ‘flash strike’ had been deferred as the management had come forwards to resolve the issues amicably. He had also written, after talks with the higher ups, that the “management has also agreed to give their mandate to IBA for employees and officers” and that further discussions would be held on November 15.