The proposed two-day strike by the All India State Bank of India Staff Federation has received support from several bank employee unions and pensioners’ associations, widening the scope of the agitation against staffing policies, outsourcing, and pension-related concerns at State Bank of India.
Among the organisations extending solidarity are the National Confederation of Bank of India Staff Unions, Federation of SBI Pensioners’ Associations, All India Bank of Baroda Employees’ Federation, All India PNB Staff Federation, All India Union Bank Staff Federation, and the All India Railwaymen’s Federation, among others.
At the centre of the dispute is the federation’s allegation that permanent banking roles are increasingly being outsourced, weakening job security and accountability. The union argues that replacing regular employees with outsourced staff is creating unstable working conditions while also raising concerns around customer data protection and operational responsibility.
The federation has also flagged the long-standing freeze on messenger recruitment, claiming that the cadre has nearly disappeared after decades without fresh hiring. According to the union, this has reduced employment opportunities for economically-weaker sections that traditionally entered the banking workforce through such roles.
Employee safety has emerged as another major issue. Referring to a recent armed robbery at an SBI branch in Surat, the Federation blamed the absence of armed guards and alleged inadequate staffing at branches. It said the failure to recruit guards has left employees and customers vulnerable.
The union has additionally raised concerns over wage disparities following the 12th Bipartite Settlement. While the industry-wide settlement provided a 17 per cent increase, the federation claims SBI officers received additional special pay benefits, widening the compensation gap between officers and workmen staff.
The protest charter also includes demands related to pension fund- management options under the National Pension System, medical reimbursements, staffing shortages, HRMS-related issues, career progression, and an end to aggressive cross-selling practices. The federation has submitted a 16-point charter demanding structural and policy changes across the bank’s workforce management system.
