SBI employees’ federation calls two-day nationwide strike over staffing, wage, and governance concerns

Employees at State Bank of India (SBI), the country’s largest public sector lender, are set to go on a two-day nationwide strike later this month after prolonged negotiations with management failed to resolve a range of employment, wage and governance-related issues. 

The All India State Bank of India Staff Federation (AISBISF), an affiliate of UNI Global Union, has formally notified SBI management of a nationwide strike on May 25 and 26. The union submitted its advance strike notice on May 2 under the provisions of the Industrial Disputes Act. It added that if either strike day coincides with a public holiday or weekly off, the action would continue on May 27. 

Issues flagged by union

AISBISF, which represents SBI employees in the workmen category, has raised 16 demands covering staffing shortages, wage disparities, social protection measures, and governance-related concerns. 

A key issue flagged by the union is inadequate staffing across SBI branches and operations. The federation said recruitment of messengers has remained frozen for nearly 29 years, while clerical hiring has steadily declined despite rising workloads. 

The union has also highlighted a shortage of armed guards due to retirements and promotions without replacement, warning that this poses security risks to staff, customers and bank assets. 

AISBISF also criticised the increasing use of outsourced workers for regular and permanent roles, alleging that the practice violates existing agreements with management and results in workers being paid below fair wage levels. 

On wage-related issues, the federation pointed to growing disparities between officers and workmen after an additional allowance was granted exclusively to officers following the latest industry-wide wage settlement. According to the union, this pushed officers’ wage hikes to around 22%, compared with 17% for workmen employees. 

Immediate review of Career Progression Scheme for workmen

The federation has also demanded an immediate review of the Career Progression Scheme for workmen, which was last revised in 2018 and has remained pending for revision since 2023. 

Among other concerns, AISBISF said more than 55,000 award staff covered under the National Pension System (NPS) have not been allowed to exercise their right to switch pension fund managers despite directives from the Ministry of Finance. 

The union also raised issues related to delayed implementation of agreed physician consultation charges, improvements in medical reimbursement policies, and pending retirement and pension benefits for eligible retirees. 

On governance and ethical banking practices, the federation alleged that several agreements and settlements signed with management remain either unimplemented or poorly enforced. It also pointed to unresolved problems in SBI’s HR management system and criticised the delay in appointing a Workmen Employee Director to the SBI board, a statutory provision under the SBI (Appointment of Employee Director) Rules, 1974. 

AISBISF has announced a phased protest programme throughout May, including lunchtime demonstrations, social media campaigns, press conferences, silent sit-ins, dharnas, candle marches, and submission of memoranda to Members of Parliament, the Finance Minister and the Prime Minister ahead of the strike. 

AISBISF General Secretary L. Chandrasekhar said the decision to intensify protests was taken after repeated attempts at dialogue failed to yield results. 

“Despite sustained efforts over two years, these issues remain unresolved. The federation has therefore decided to undertake a series of agitational programmes, culminating in strike action, to secure resolution of these genuine concerns,” he said. 

Rajendra Acharya, regional secretary of UNI Asia & Pacific, expressed solidarity with the union and urged SBI management to engage constructively with employees to resolve the pending issues.