Patna: The Bihar State Council of the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) has extended support to the nationwide agitation and strikes announced by bank employees and officers under the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), including the all-India strike on Sept 11 and the three-day strike from Sept 28 to 30.AITUC Bihar general secretary Ajay Kumar said the demands for a five-day banking system, fair performance linked incentive (PLI) and resolution of pending issues were “fully justified”. He alleged unilateral decisions by the Centre and bank management were weakening the process of bilateral negotiations.Kumar said public sector banks were the backbone of the economy and bank employees played a key role in providing services to farmers, workers, small traders, pensioners and the general public.Strengthening public sector banking and opposing privatisation should therefore be part of the broader workers’ movement, he said.Kumar appealed to trade unions and workers’ organisations in Bihar to support the UFBU’s proposed strikes and ensure the Sept 11 strike and the three-day action from Sept 28 to 30 were successful.He warned the govt and bank management would be responsible if employees proceeded with the proposed indefinite strike from Oct 26 over unresolved demands.AITUC Bihar urged the Centre to immediately begin talks with the UFBU, implement a five-day banking system, halt unilateral decisions on PLI and resolve all pending demands within a stipulated timeframe.
