Kolkata: A majority of the 10,000-odd branches and around 11,000 ATMs in the state may be closed for four consecutive days, from March 22 to 24, because of a two-day bank strike announced by United Forum of Bank Unions.
UFBU, a forum of nine bank unions, has called a strike on March 24 and 25. An official said banks will be shut on March 22, the fourth Saturday, and March 23, a Sunday. Hence, banks may be closed for four days at a stretch. But the official said the Union ministry of labour and employment has called a reconciliation meeting on March 18 in this regard.
UFBU has made 13 demands to the Union ministry of labour, including adequate recruitment and five-day working hours. "The public sector banking system forms the backbone of the country's financial infrastructure. But, over the years, the workforce in public sector banks has dwindled significantly, creating an unsustainable work environment and compromising the efficiency and reach of these institutions," it said.
UFBU said: "Bipartite settlement/joint note was signed by the Indian Banks' Association with the employees unions and officers organisations in the banks on March 8, 2024, covering the revision of wages and improvements in other service conditions for the period from Nov 1, 2022, to Oct 31, 2027. The unions/associations unequivocally demanded that IBA should ensure that a five-day work week be implemented before signing the final settlement, and an M-oU was signed on Dec 7, 2023."
Former deputy chief secretary of SBI Staff Association Ashok Mukherjee said five-day banking was agreed upon by both UFBU and IBA but not implemented.
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