Lucknow: Employees of the State Bank of India (SBI) across Lucknow staged a strong protest outside the main branch on Monday, intensifying their agitation over long-pending demands under the banner of the All India State Bank of India Staff Federation.
The demonstration was led by Circle President Ajay Pandey and General Secretary Dr. D.K. Singh, with a large number of employees from different branches participating in the protest.
Addressing the gathering, General Secretary Dr. D.K. Singh said that talks held on May 12 between the Deputy CLC, senior management, and federation representatives had failed, pushing employees closer to industrial action.
He said the staff is demanding recruitment of messengers and armed guards, adequate manpower in branches, and an end to outsourcing in permanent jobs. Other key demands include allowing employees under the National Pension System (NPS) the option to change pension fund managers, inter-circle transfer facilities for employees appointed after 2019, and a review of career progression policies.
Employees are also seeking improvements in the medical reimbursement scheme and resolution of long-standing pension and HRMS-related issues.
Dr. Singh strongly criticised the delay in resolving the issues, stating that continued inaction was forcing employees toward a nationwide strike. “If our legitimate demands are not fulfilled, we will be compelled to go on strike. The responsibility will lie with the Central Government,” he said.
Several union leaders, including Awadhesh Singh, R.P. Singh (vice presidents), Ashutosh Verma, Brijesh Kumar Tiwari, Shiv Kumar, Tarakeshwar, Akash Sharma (NCBE), Ankur Agrawal, Rakesh Kumar (assistant general secretaries), and Deependra Kumar and Satish Shukla (regional secretaries), addressed the protest and extended support to the movement.
According to media in-charge Anil Tiwari, employees have already launched a nationwide social media campaign on X (formerly Twitter) on May 14 to highlight their demands. As part of the ongoing protest plan, employees will wear black attire at work as a symbolic protest on May 16.
The union has further warned that if no resolution is reached, a nationwide strike will be observed on May 25 and 26.
