SBI staff's 2-day nationwide strike deferred

We are glad to inform you that there have been positive improvements on our demands, All India SBI Staff Federation general secretary L Chandrasekhar said in a communication to its members.In view of the progress achieved during the discussions, the proposed strike stands deferred, he said.

The proposed nationwide strike by SBI staff on May 25-26 has been deferred following ''positive discussions'' between the bank management and representatives of employees' unions in Mumbai on Friday, officials said.

''The meeting with the management was positive and there has been progress on several demands raised by the federation. In view of the developments, the proposed strike has been deferred,'' SBI Staff Association, Bengal Circle secretary, Sudip Dutta told PTI.

The strike call was given earlier this month by the All India SBI Staff Federation over a 16-point charter of demands, including recruitment of messengers and armed guards, adequate staffing, stopping outsourcing of permanent jobs, review of career progression schemes, improvement in medical reimbursement and resolution of HRMS-related issues.

The federation had also raised concerns over ''declining'' clerical recruitment, ''increasing workload'' on employees, ''delays'' in inter-circle transfers and pension-related issues concerning the country's largest lender.

''The meeting held today between the management and the federation at Corporate Centre, Mumbai has concluded positively. We are glad to inform you that there have been positive improvements on our demands,'' All India SBI Staff Federation general secretary L Chandrasekhar said in a communication to its members.

''In view of the progress achieved during the discussions, the proposed strike stands deferred,'' he said.