SBI workers take part in nationwide protest against top management

Members of the local head office of the State Bank of India (SBI), Sector 17, Chandigarh were joined by those of nearby branches and the administrative office of Punjab in a demonstration against the charge-sheeting of the general secretaries and presidents of 14 circle associations and the slapping of rule 19(3) against three retiring office bearers of the All India State Bank Officer's Federation (AISBOF).

The demonstration was held as part of the nation wide protest by the AISBOF to "condemn the adamant move of the management in victimisation by use of draconian powers." Members raised slogans and alleged that the SBI chairman is callous in his attitude. They also wore black badges as a mark of protest against the anti-officer policies of the bank's top management.

Comrade D K Sharma, president, SBI Officer's Association, Chandigarh Circle, while hailing the participation of the members in implementation of the action programme on a massive scale throughout the country, also asked members to "gear up for a long struggle to defeat negative forces." He said that the "prolonged'' agitation has been taken up to protect the self respect and dignity of officers."

"The onslaught of the management and frontal attack on the legitimate trade union rights will be met with more resistance," Sharma said, asking the members to gear up for an indefinite strike in case the management continues with what he termed its "anti-trade union, anti-officers and anti-bank policies."

"The demonstration is a loud and clear warning to the management against arbitrary actions which will vitiate the cordial industrial relations in the bank for which the federation has contributed immensely," he said.

ALSO READ

Life of Pi singer Bombay Jayashri to perform in Chandigarh

Theories of Sino-India war far-fetched, says ex-Army chief

HC rejects Punjab plea on Bhattal’s govt house

Civic body moots Rs 616-cr budget, discussion today