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Retaliation by Tamilnad Mercantile Bank: Employees Call For Dharna at Headquarters Followed By Statewide Strike
Protest against administrative retaliation by Tamilnad Mercantile Bank(TMB) management sparks statewide strike. On 20 November, a dharna is to be organised at TMB headquarters in Thoothukudi.
Author: Kanal English Desk
Published: November 19, 2024
Bank employees across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry are set to go on strike on 02 December, 2024. The Tamil Nadu Bank Employees’ Federation, affiliated with the All India Bank Employees’ Association (AIBEA), has called for the strike to protest alleged administrative retaliation against union leaders at Tamilnad Mercantile Bank (TMB).
The protest stems from allegations that TMB management took punitive actions against union leaders, including suspending the union president, P. Prabhakaran, and former General Secretary, M.N. Vignesh. The employees’ federation claims these actions are attempts to silence the union.
Sequence of Protest Actions
Leading up to the strike on 02 December 2024, the Tamil Nadu Bank Employees’ Federation planned multiple protest activities. These included sending a letter to TMB’s CEO/MD on 06 November, passing a resolution on 10 November, wearing black badges and staging protests from 12 to 14 November, submitting a memorandum on 15 November, raising demands on platform X on 17 November, organising a dharna on 20 November, conducting WhatsApp campaigns on 25 November, and district-wide protests on 30 November.
(A poster released by Tamilnadu Bank Employees’ Federation outlining a series of protests leading up to the strike.)
Allegations of Retaliation
In a letter dated 20 October 2024, the Tamil Nadu Bank Employees’ Federation accused TMB management of consistent attempts to intimidate the union. The letter cited instances where union leaders were suspended for allegedly forming WhatsApp groups to “tarnish the image” of the bank. The union claims these actions are retaliatory measures following the leaders' efforts to address issues faced by employees.
Founded in 1921 as Nadar Bank and rebranded in 1962, Tamilnad Mercantile Bank is headquartered in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu. With 567 branches nationwide, it is one of the prominent private-sector banks in India.
The strike on 02 December underscores escalating tensions between bank employees and TMB management. The Tamil Nadu Bank Employees’ Federation has reiterated its demand for a fair resolution, urging the management to cease retaliatory measures and address employee grievances.