SBI officers plan nationwide strike on Apr 8-9

The officers of the country' largest lender the State Bank of India have decided to go on a two-day nationwide strike from April 8 to press for hiring officers and revising pay scales.

"There is a shortage of 7,000-8,000 officers across the country. If you take into account the new branches, this figure will cross 10,000 ," All India State Bank Officers' Federation President T N Goel told PTI.

He further said 25 per cent branches have only one officer, though the core banking solution (CBS) requires minimum two officers in each branch. In Delhi circle, more than 300 branches are running with a single officer, he added.

Currently, around 65,000 officers are employed in over 11,000 branches of the bank across the country.

The union is demanding minimum two officers at all existing CBS branches and is against opening of new branches without minimum staff and adequate infrastructure.

There is also demanding for improvement of pension scheme, revision of pay scales, regulated working hours, among other things.

The officers' union has threatened to go on an indefinite nationwide strike in May if their demands are not met.