SBI associate banks staff to go on strike tomorrow against merger

A section of employees of five associate banks of SBI has threatened to go on strike tomorrow against their proposed merger with parent.

Earlier this week, SBI proposed merger of five associate banks and newly created Bharatiya Mahila Bank with itself.

"Despite opposition and protest by all the AIBEA's Workman Directors and few other independent Directors, about the proposal and the procedure adopted, the resolution was approved in this regard.

"We also call upon all our members in the 5 Associate Banks to observe protest strike on May 20," All India Bank Employees' Association (AIBEA) said in a statement.

Most of the associate banks have informed customers about banking operation to be hit due to strike call given by State Sector Bank Employees Association (SSBEA), an associate of AIBEA.

Among the associates, State Bank of Hyderabad is the largest with over 1,800 branches followed by State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur with 1,350, State Bank of Patiala with 1,300, State Bank of Travancore with 1,200 and State Bank of Mysore with 1,050 branches as of end December.