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PNB Officers' Federation Observes Black Badge Protest Ahead of Two-day Nationwide Strike
The All India Punjab National Bank Officers’ Federation (AIPNBOF) observed a black badge protest on 18 December 2024, highlighting grievances against management and advocating for key reforms, including a five-day banking week.
Author: Abhivad
Published: December 19, 2024
Officers of Punjab National Bank (PNB), under the banner of the All India Punjab National Bank Officers’ Federation (AIPNBOF), staged a black badge protest on 18 December 2024. This demonstration, part of a broader agitation programme, comes ahead of the federation’s planned two-day nationwide strike on 26 and 27 December 2024.
(AIPNBOF General Secretary Krishnakumar’s post on platform X.)
Widespread Participation
The protest was aimed at drawing attention to discrimination by management and the failure to safeguard the interests of banking employees. General Secretary Krishnakumar stated on platform X that the black badge campaign was well received by PNB officers and even the clerical cadre across the country. The event saw significant social media engagement, with many officers sharing photos of themselves wearing black badges to show solidarity.
(Alankrit Shukla, a PNB officer and a vocal advocate of bankers’ rights on social media, shared several photos from the black badge protest.)
Core Demands
AIPNBOF's strike primarily focuses on implementing a five-day workweek, a demand gaining traction among the banking community. The federation emphasises that this is the first major strike call in a public sector bank addressing this critical issue. Other demands include adequate recruitment to address staffing shortages and the freedom for employees under the National Pension Scheme (NPS) to choose their Pension Fund Managers. The federation also seeks resolution of long-standing grievances such as equal treatment for all officer associations and fair policies on transfers and benefits.
Support from Banking Fraternity
The federation’s strike call has drawn praise from the broader banking fraternity. Bankers from other public sector banks commended AIPNBOF on platform X for its bold stance, particularly on the five-day banking demand.
The All India Bank Officers' Association (AIBOA) has also extended solidarity to the two-day strike call by AIPNBOF. This support underscores the growing sentiment among bank employees for systemic reforms to improve work-life balance and operational efficiency.
(Letter from AIBOA extending support to the two-day strike call.)
The black badge protest signals the escalating dissatisfaction among PNB officers and serves as a prelude to the two-day nationwide strike later this month. AIPNBOF hopes the agitation will prompt management and government authorities to address their demands urgently.
Update: Conciliation Meeting
The Regional Labour Commissioner has called PNB Management representatives, Chairman of IBA and Secretary of DFS for a conciliation meeting with AIPNBOF leaders on 20 December 2024 in New Delhi.