Government offers talks as bank staff join trade union strike call
18 Feb 2013
The government has called a meeting of major trade unions at 8 pm tonight as the two-day nationwide strike called by central trade unions on 20 and 21 February got the support of bank unions as well.
The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) has now extended support to the nationwide strike call given by the central trade unions.
The All India State Bank Officers' Federation and the All India State Bank of India Staff Federation, being a part of UFBU, will also participate in the strike, SBI said in a statement to the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).
SBI also extended working hours on days ahead of the strike to limit inconvenience to customers.
The government, which had earlier warned employees of ''consequences'', including deduction of wages and disciplinary action, has now called a meeting of trade union representatives at 8 pm tonight.
Prime minister Manmohan Singh is reported to have asked senior cabinet colleagues A K Antony, Sharad Pawar, P Chidambaram and Mallikarjun Kharge to join discussions with the trade union leaders.
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