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SYMBOLIC PROTEST: Leftist trade unions take out a rally in Visakhapatnam, with a float carrying a mongoose (workers' unity) mauling a snake (anti-worker forces), during the nation-wide strike on Tuesday. - K.R. Deepak

Hyderabad , Feb. 24

MORE than 22,000 officers and 50,000 employees from financial sector including banking industry, insurance and Reserve Bank of India in Andhra Pradesh observed protest strike here on Tuesday.

In a press release, the AP State unit of All India Bank Officers' Confederation (AIBOC) said the bank staff expressed anguish and frustration over the policies of the Government affecting all sectors of the economy including financial sector.

According to the AIBOC State Secretary, Mr P. Siva Sankar Reddy, the bank officers and employees demanded early conclusion of salary revision in the banking industry that was overdue. Though several rounds of discussions were held after the salary revision agreement in the banking industry expired on October 31, 2002, there has been no settlement in sight.

"The Indian Banks' Association, which is holding negotiations with the trade unions in the banking industry, has been adopting dilatory tactics without any seriousness on their part to conclude the wage negotiation," Mr Reddy alleged. The bank officers and employees assembled at the SBI local head office here and held a rally and conducted demonstrations protesting the Government and IBA policies. They demanded second option on pension in the banking industry, which was eluding them for a long time, Mr Reddy said.

Meanwhile, the AP Regional Rural Bank Employees Association has announced that more than 5,000 officers and employees working in 16 regional rural banks in the State participated in the strike as a part of nationwide general strike call of central trade unions. According to the Association General Secretary, Mr S. Venkateswar Reddy, the staff abstained from work in about 1,200 rural branches and participated in the rallies and meetings.

Our Vizag Bureau adds: All the workers of Bharat Heavy Plates and Vessels stayed away from work here on Tuesday in response to the call given by the Leftist trade unions for a countrywide strike, but the other public sector undertakings and the port trust remained unaffected.

The public sector banks and insurance companies were also affected.

The strike call elicited a wholehearted response from the workers of BHPV but the officers and supervisory staff attended duties.

The unit is in great difficulties and on the brink of being referred to the BIFR. The workers have launched a "Save BHPV'' campaign.

In the backdrop, workers of all unions responded to the strike call on Tuesday.

According to official sources, the port, Visakhapatnam steel plant, Hindusthan shipyard and the other PSUs were not hit by the call. The attendance was normal.

More Stories on : Trade & Labour Unions | Andhra Pradesh

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