SBI associate banks' strike hits operations

Clearing operations and other transactions were partially affected in around 5,000 branches of State Bank of India's six associate banks on Tuesday after their employees went on a nationwide strike to press various demands.

Unions are demanding immediate termination of merger proposals between associate banks with the parent and allowing benefits to associate banks' staff at par with SBI employees.

Around 60,000 class III and class IV employees are participating in the strike nationwide, All India Bank Employees' Association Joint Secretary Vishwas Utagi told PTI.

"The strike is total and all operations including clearing have been paralysed," Utagi said.

Unions alleged that their talks with the SBI management held recently failed because of the "rigid attitude of management forcing them to hold work".