Mangalore: In pursuance of its demand for the introduction of a voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) package, the Corporation Bank Officers’ Organisation (CBOO) has decided to go on a one-day strike in March 2002 if the bank management fails to offer a viable separation package by then.

The officers will also hold a relay hunger strike at the bank’s corporate office here on 14 and 15 February to coincide with the bank’s business plan conference. Officers belonging to CBOO, which in turn is affiliated to the All-India Bank Officers’ Confederation, have been on a ‘work-to-rule’ agitation demanding the introduction of a VRS.

Consequent upon a resolution adopted at the organisation’s general body meeting, CBOO submitted a memorandum to the management in this regard in December 2001. A bipartite meeting was subsequently held on 13 December in which the management was said to have refused to consider the officers’ demand. Thereafter, as per a decision of the CBOO executive committee, a ‘notice of agitation’ was served to the management on 18 December.

Since 31 December, the officers have been on a work-to-rule agitation — strictly adhering to working hours, following rules literally, not attending official functions after office hours and delaying the submission of statistical information to the controlling offices. CBOO has also submitted a memorandum to the Union finance minister.

Addressing a press conference here on 13 February, CBOO president T R Bhat and general secretary D N Prakash said despite several meetings having been held since 18 December the management continued to argue that there was no surplus staff in Corporation Bank. CBOO, however, insists that its demand for VRS has nothing to do with the existence or non-existence of surplus staff.

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