SBI unions plan May 25-26 strike

State Bank of India staff unions had called a two-day nationwide strike for May 25 and 26, but the action was deferred on May 22 after talks with management, according to SBI and union representatives. The planned protest had been led by the All India State Bank of India Staff Federation, or AISBISF, which said it was pressing a 16-point charter of demands. SBI had earlier warned customers that branch services could be affected and urged them to use ATMs, customer service points and digital channels. By late May 22, the bank said branches would function normally on both days. ### So was there actually going to be an SBI strike on May 25 and 26? May 25 and 26 were the dates named in the strike notice served by AISBISF, the union representing SBI workmen staff, according to SBI’s advisory and the federation’s own account. UNI Global Union, which said AISBISF is one of its affiliates, reported that the union had formally notified SBI management of a two-day nationwide strike and had issued advance notice on May 2 under India’s Industrial Disputes Act. (businesstoday.in) May 22 changed the immediate picture. The Times of India, citing PTI, reported that the proposed strike was deferred after discussions between SBI management and employee representatives at the bank’s Corporate Centre in Mumbai. SBI then told customers that all branches would function normally and regular banking services would continue. (businesstoday.in) ### Which union was leading it, and who would have been covered? The All India State Bank of India Staff Federation was the main union behind the strike call, and SBI said that federation had given notice for the two-day action. UNI Global Union said AISBISF represents SBI workers in the workmen category, which typically covers non-officer staff rather than the bank’s officer cadre. (timesofindia.indiatimes.com) SBI’s customer advisory treated the action as potentially nationwide. Business Today reported that the bank warned customers of possible disruption and asked them to rely on internet banking, YONO, mobile banking, UPI, ATMs and ADWMs during the proposed strike window. (businesstoday.in) ### What were the unions demanding? AISBISF framed the dispute around 16 issues. UNI Global Union said those demands fell into three broad buckets: employment and staffing, wages and social protection, and governance and ethical banking practices. The staffing issues were central. UNI Global Union said the federation cited inadequate staffing across SBI operations, no fresh recruitment of messengers for 29 years, declining clerical recruitment and growing workloads. (businesstoday.in) It also said the union demanded recruitment of armed guards and objected to the use of outsourced workers for permanent and regular jobs. (uniglobalunion.org) The charter also included pension and pay issues. UNI Global Union said AISBISF raised a pay gap between officers and workmen, a pending review of the Career Progression Scheme, and National Pension System issues affecting more than 55,000 award staff who were reportedly unable to change pension fund managers. Business Today also said the union sought appointment of a Workmen’s Employee Director on SBI’s board. (uniglobalunion.org) ### Why did the strike get deferred? May 22 talks in Mumbai produced what union representatives described as progress. The Times of India, citing PTI, reported that SBI Staff Association Bengal Circle secretary Sudip Dutta said the meeting with management was “positive” and that there had been progress on several demands. (uniglobalunion.org) L. Chandrasekhar, general secretary of the All India SBI Staff Federation, said in a communication to members that the meeting at SBI’s Corporate Centre had “concluded positively” and that the proposed strike therefore “stands deferred,” according to the same report. (timesofindia.indiatimes.com) ### What should customers watch now? May 25 and 26 are no longer expected to see branch shutdowns tied to this union action, because SBI said all branches will function normally and provide regular services. That superseded the bank’s earlier advisory asking customers to prepare for possible disruption. (timesofindia.indiatimes.com) The next concrete marker is whatever follows the May 22 discussions between SBI management and AISBISF representatives in Mumbai. As of the latest reports available, the strike had been deferred, not described as permanently withdrawn, and the unresolved issues remained the same 16 demands tied to staffing, outsourcing, pensions, safety and work conditions. (timesofindia.indiatimes.com) (businesstoday.in)