Trade unions’ strike evokes mixed response
IMPACT All banks except SBI and IOB join the agitation, business of over `500 crore affected in Lucknow
The strike called by trade unions against the ‘antilabour policies’ of the union government evoked mixed response in Lucknow with thousands of state and central government employees abstaining from work.
With banks remaining closed during the day, transactions in almost 450 branches were hit due to the strike. Business of over `500 crore was affected in Lucknow alone.
Barring State Bank of India and Indian Overseas Bank, all banks participated in the strike. The All-India Bank Officers’ Confederation, an organisation of bank officers, also abstained from the strike.
Along with central government and banking staff, employees of various state government departments also abstained from work.
Apart from banks and post offices, nationalised insurance companies led by LIC also remained closed in support of the strike.
State government employees of Public Works Department, tourism, irrigation, roadways, family welfare, collectorate, government press, UP Sugarcane Development department and several other offices abstained from work in support of the strike.
However, normal working was not affected in the Lucknow Municipal Corporation.
Agitating bank employees assembled on the campus of Allahabad Bank, Hazratganj, under the banner of UP Bank Employees’ Union and convened a meeting. They accused the union government of pursuing the merger policy of banks despite stiff opposition from bank employees’ union.
Secretary of the UP Bank Employees Union VK Singh stated that bad loans had increased to around Rs 13 lakh crore.
“Instead of taking action against defaulters to recover the money, the union government is trying to pave a way out for these defaulters,” alleged Singh.
The agitating state government employees assembled at the PWD office on MG Road under the banner of UP Rajya Karamchari Mahasangh.
Their demands included payment of HRA and other benefits at par with central staff.