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'Follow Transfer Guidelines, Stop Attacks on Trade Unions': Federal Bank Staff Union Protests at Headquarters
Federal Bank Employees demand adherence to transfer policy, protection of trade union rights and end to fixed-term employment.
Author: Abhivad
Published: June 13, 2024
On 12 June 2024, the Federal Bank Staff Union (FBSU), affiliated with the Bank Employees Federation of India (BEFI), staged a sit-in protest at the Federal Bank headquarters in Aluva, Kerala. The protest lasted until noon, with employees marching to the head office to press for various demands related to transfer policies and employment practices.
(Employees raised slogans and asserted their demands as part of their sit-in protest at the Federal Bank head office in Aluva.)
Demands for Policy Adherence
The FBSU's primary demands include strict adherence to Federal Bank’s official transfer policy and the withdrawal of transfers that were implemented in violation of this policy. The union argues that recent transfers have not followed the established guidelines, causing disruption and unfair treatment of staff. “Earlier transfers were implemented only on the request of employees as specified in Federal Bank's transfer policy, but now the bank has started violating this policy”, a union leader told Kanal.
Opposition to Fixed-Term Employment
A significant concern raised during the protest is the bank’s increasing reliance on fixed-term employment and outsourcing. An FBSU office bearer commented, “Appointing staff on a contract basis through subsidiaries for marketing purposes and involving them in core banking activities must be stopped. The union views this practice as detrimental to job security and employee morale”- the leader told Kanal.
(CITU district committee member Adv. V Salim inaugurated the protest organised by FBSU)
Attacks on Trade Union Activism
The union also accused Federal Bank of targeting trade union leaders and activists. “The approach of the Federal Bank management towards trade union activism is undergoing an evident shift. The bank has started targeting trade union leaders and activists in recent years. Even Federal Bank Employees Union(FBEU, the largest employees union in Federal Bank) is not being consulted before making important decisions on employee-related affairs,” said the office bearer. This alleged lack of consultation and the perceived attacks on union activities were key points of contention during the protest.
The sit-in protest was inaugurated by CITU district committee member Adv. V Salim. BEFI All India President S S Anil, FBSU All India President P Y Varghese, General Secretary P H Vinitha, and Secretary K Ramaprasad were among the prominent leaders who participated. Around 70 employees joined the protest at the head office, demonstrating solidarity and support for the union's demands.
(FBSU General Secretary P H Vinitha addressing the sit-in protest.)
The protest witnessed significant participation and support from labour leaders. With the protest at the headquarters premises, the union has made its stance clear, calling for immediate action from the Federal Bank management to address their concerns.