Bank men stage massive dharna

FATEHGARH SAHIB, Feb 24: On the nationwide call given by United Forum of Bank Unions, more than 300 employees, including officers, working in various branches of nationalised banks in the district, gathered in front of the Punjab National Bank, Sirhind branch here today during lunch hour and held a massive rally and dharna to press for the acceptance of their long-pending demands. They wore black badges during the protest.

Addressing the rally, B.K. Jethi, zonal secretary, Punjab Bank Employees Federation said the stir had been launched against the callous attitude of the IBA and government towards wage-revision of the staff pending since November 1997. While flaying IBA for sticking to their untenable and unacceptable offer of 10 per cent increase in wages against 18 per cent demanded by the unions, he also contested IBA8217;s excuse of declining profits as a hindrance to hiking pay scales.

The union spokesman held the recalcitrant approach of the IBA- Govt combine responsible for forcing more than 13 lakh bankmen in the country to go on indefinite strike from March 17 and to observe a two-day strike on Feb 25 and 26.