Baroda UP Bank Unions Announce Indefinite Strike Amid Unresolved Issues

The Joint Forum of Baroda UP Bank Unions (JFBUPU) has announced an indefinite strike starting from June 25, 2024, citing numerous unresolved issues. The letter, dated June 8, 2024 addressed to the bank management, highlights the critical concerns of the employees, underscoring the growing frustration and distress among the workforce.

The agitation call comes in the wake of a recent request by the Baroda UP Bank Employees Union to the Government of Uttar Pradesh to resolve the ongoing recruitment freeze.

Unresolved Issues Fueling Discontent

The JFBUPU has outlined several key issues that have remained unaddressed, prompting the call for a strike. One of the primary concerns is the acute shortage of staff. Despite multiple notices and appeals, including a strike notice dated September 8, 2023, and an agitation notice on October 12, 2023, the bank management has failed to address the recruitment and promotion demands. The letter emphasises that approximately six months have passed without any significant progress on these fronts.

Image: Joint Forum of Baroda UP Bank Unions Letter to the Chairman of Baroda UP Bank on Agitation

The union also points to the lack of adherence to the S.K. Mitra Committee guidelines, which were established to streamline promotions and recruitment processes. The persistent delays and inaction have led to a substantial increase in workload and stress among the existing employees, who are struggling to manage the operations of 1983 branches with only 2336 clerical staff.

Key Demands of the Agitation

In the detailed letter, JFBUPU outlined demands - 

1. Adequate recruitment in Baroda UP Bank.
2. Abolish the management endorsed WhatsApp groups for official communication. As a result of a shortage of staff, employee handled official communication is being replaced by WhatsApp.
3. Abolish the transaction and business of sponsor bank induced life insurance products which is putting the working staff under work pressure.
4. To follow only the written directives of higher officials.  

Management’s Inaction and Union’s Resolve

Despite the bank’s strong financial performance in FY24, the unresolved issues have led to a decline in employee morale. The JFBUPU has accused the management of employing dilatory tactics to delay promotions and other critical employee welfare measures. The union’s letter to the bank’s chairman highlights the frustration over the lack of constructive dialogue and action from the management’s side.

Besides the Joint Forum of Baroda UP Bank Unions (JFBUPU), the Baroda UP Bank Employees Union (BUPBEU) also raised concerns in a letter to the bank management on June 7, 2024. The letter highlighted the lack of recruitment in the bank for three consecutive years, resulting in a severe staff shortage.

Image: Letter of the Baroda UP Bank Employees Union on Recruitment and Promotion in BUPB

BUPBEU General Secretary Ram Krishna Pandey told Kanal, “BUPB has faced a significant imbalance in operations due to the absence of recruitment and promotion. Despite these challenges, the bank's financial performance has remained strong. Therefore, the management’s top priority should be to initiate adequate recruitment immediately.”

In the recent past, there have been several instances of increasing distress among employees of Baroda UP Bank and Bank of Baroda sponsored RRBs. The employees have been vocal about the lack of new recruitments and promotions, which has significantly affected their work-life balance and overall job satisfaction making the situation increasingly untenable for the staff.

The ongoing distress among employees of Baroda UP Bank, despite the bank’s robust performance in FY24, underscores the need for the management to prioritise employee welfare and address the critical issues at hand. Resolving these matters promptly is crucial to maintaining the bank’s operational efficiency and ensuring the well-being of its workforce.