Date:26/01/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/01/26/stories/2008012658400300.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Bank staff strike total

Special Correspondent

VISAKAHPATNAM: Bank strike on Friday was total with over 1,500 employees in the public and private sector banks abstaining from duty to protest merger of public sector banks and pressing for pending demands which include second option for pension and recruitment of staff.

The strike was in response to the call given by the United Forum of Bank Unions, the apex body and umbrella organisation of five workmen unions and four officers’ organisations representing workforce in 27 public sector and 26 private banks.

All the bank branches in the district numbering about 350 downed their shutters and about 500 striking employees gathered in front of the main branch of State Bank of India near old jail road junction where a public meeting was held in the morning.

The agitatiang employees raised slogans. Convenor of UFBU S. N. Sahu, deputy general secretary of National Confederation of Bank Employees, and others spoke on the occasion.