The All-India State Bank Officers Federation (AISBOF) has rejected the proposal of wage hike and pension benefits for bank employees and demanded a separate wage revision. The AISOF is an organisation of about 3 lakh employees of SBI.

The Indian Banks' Association (IBA) signed an agreement with the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) to benefit around 7 lakh public sector bank employees. The agreement proposes a 17.5 percent hike for the employees.

"We do not agree with the proposed salary hike for bank employees. The SBI employees demand that the increase should be at par with the salary of the Central government employees,"said AISBOF vice-president SK Haldar.

The union has threatened to go for an indefinite strike, demanding separate negotiation for the employees of SBI, the largest bank in India.

In addition to this, the union has demanded greater security for the bank staff, especially in Naxal-infested areas.

LN Patra, the zonal secretary of AISBOF said, "The SBI officers have lost their sleep due to the Maoist attack near the SBI branches at R Udayagiri, Daringibadi, Kalimela, Malkanagiri, Gudari, Chirakonda and Machkund in Orissa in recent times."

He added that the SBI authorities have not taken appropriate measures to tighten security despite Maoist attacks.

AISOF has also demanded more staff for SBI as the bank was facing a tough time due to manpower crunch.