SIXTH OF MAY 1951 is a red letter day for workman employees of Bank of India. A few pioneers of our predecessors namely, Com. G. N. Trikanand, Com. G. G. Dholakia, Com. V. M. Chitnis, Com. J. M. Vyas, Com. V. M. Devi, Com. Sushil Ghosh, Com. K. J. Joshep and a few others got together and resolved to form “The Federation of Bank of India Staff Unions” consisting of the unions of workman employees, as existing then, in Bank of India. They further resolved to build-up a strong ALL INDIA FEDERATION to fight against the atrocities of all powerful management of Bank of India. The three major unions of workman employees that came up by then at Bombay, Ahmedabad and Calcutta took the initiative to have its first General Council Meeting on 6th May, 1951 and formed the Federation. On this day, a humble beginning was made of a great journey. The newly formed Federation gave a call of continuous strike from 24th December, 1951 against the attacks of the management. The Federation simultaneously demanded defined conditions of service. While the strike was in progress, the management dismissed six of our leaders including Com. V. M. Chitnis. Workman Employees all over the country displayed rocklike unity and stood firmly behind the strike. The strike continued for 42 days. The concerted action forced the management to agree to the demands of the Federation and also the reinstatement of all six dismissed leaders. The sapling thus planted has now grown into a big banyan tree. With the growth and expansion of the Bank more and more workman employees joined the Bank's services all over the country. More and more of the Federation's affiliated units came into being. At present the Federation has 23 affiliated units covering all states and union territories in the country. As of now, the Federation represents about 85% of workman employees in Bank of India. This Federation is the only representative and recognized all India organization of workman Employees, under the banner of All India Bank Employees Association, in Bank of India. It is the sole voice of workman employees in the Bank.