Hundreds of Republic Bank employees in candlelight procession

Many were seen with babes in arms, while one demonstrator chose to take along her tot in a perambulator.

The workers were highlighting the fact that they were finding it difficult to get their employer to offer what they call "a reasonable wage increase" in their negotiations for a new collective agreement.

Wayne Corbie, vice-president of the Banking, Insurance and Gene-ral Workers’ Union (BIGWU), which is representing the workers, said the bank was offering 11 percent over three years while the union is demanding a 35 percent increase over the same period.

He thought the bank’s offer was "ridiculous, given the fact that it made millions of dollars in profit over the last fiscal year."

The cost items, wages and Cola, he said, are causing all the problems.

According to Corbie, the workers who would normally be passive while negotiations take place are now reacting.

Both Corbie and the executive members of the Republic Bank branch of BIGWU, pledged that the workers would continue their protest action, until a reasonable offer is made by the bank.

He said they chose to march around the Savannah during the night because they wanted to get across their message to the thousands of motorists, including bank managers who take that route to get to their homes in exclusive areas.

More demonstrations have been planned and negotiations between the bank and the union will continue on Friday.