SA bankers union plans largest strike since 1920

SOUTH Africa’s biggest financial union is threatening to disrupt the country’s banking industry by leading its 73 000 members on a strike next month, in what would be its largest industrial action in almost a century.
The two-day walkout will target lenders that have consulted staff over job cuts in recent months and other institutions that employ members of the Sasbo union, according to General Secretary Joe Kokela.
Sasbo wants banks to consider options other than retrenchments and begin a programme to re-skill employees whose positions are at risk, he said in an interview on Monday.
“If the banks say no, the struggle continues and we will make sure we shut down the system until they come to their senses,” Kokela said. “We can even make sure replenishment of ATMs are kept to a minimum so that the country runs short of money.”

South African lenders are cutting jobs as they seek ways to lower costs and contend with slow economic growth and fresh competition in the industry from branchless, digital entrants such as TymeBank and insurer Discovery. Job cuts in the country are particularly sensitive as the unemployment rate has risen to 29 percent, the highest in more than a decade.
Absa Group, Standard Bank Group and Nedbank Group have all consulted with Sasbo in recent months over cuts. Absa is restructuring operations across its business units, Standard Bank is closing 91 branches, while Nedbank is in talks with about 1 500 employees over job cuts or redeployments, Bloomberg News reported last week.
“Standard Bank has made strides to ensure that impacted employees are absorbed into other roles within the bank,” a spokesman said in an emailed response to questions. “Where that has not been possible, or employees have opted not to apply for other positions, we also set aside funds to assist employees acquire new skills.”
Sasbo, founded in 1916, has not yet informed any of the country’s lenders of its plans, Kokela said. – Fin24