Operations at all branches of State Bank of India [Get Quote] across the country are likely to be hit on Friday as its officers' federation has called a day-long strike.

The All India State Bank of India Officers Federation has called the strike demanding recruitment of adequate number of officers and clerical staff in branches and withdrawal of 'harsh punishments for minor offences.'

"Lack of adequate staff at the branch level not only affects normal work but customer service is also badly affected," A R Kolhatkar, organising secretary of the federation, told PTI in Mumbai on Thursday.

According to him, the management was withdrawing staff from the branches and placing them in the corporate offices and processing centres "which affects our level of customer service. A branch is a retail outlet and customer service should deserve paramount attention," he said.

"We tried to avert the strike and till yesterday evening were in negotiations with the management. There was also a conciliation meeting held at the office of the Labour Commissioner, but the management turned down all our initiatives," Kolhatkar added.