PSU bank workers threaten 4-day strike as wage talks fail

Workers in public sector banks have threatened to go on a strike for four days from 25 February, followed by an indefinite strike from 16 March, over wage issues.

The announcement cames after wage negotiations talks, between the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) and the Indian Banks Association (IBA), which represents the managements, failed in Mumbai earlier today.

C H Venkatachalam of the All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA) said that in today's talks IBA offered only 0.5 per cent to 13 per cent hike in wages, while the unions are asking for 19.5 per cent.

The UFBU includes AIBEA, the National Confederation of Bank Employees, Bank Employees Federation of India, the Indian National Bank Employees Federation, Indian National Bank Officers Congress, the National Organisation of Bank Workers, All India Bank Officers Association and National Organisation of Bank Officers.

Earlier the UFBU had decided to go on strike on 7 January, which would have followed by four days of continuous strike from 21-24 January and an indefinite strike from 16 March demanding early resolution of their wage talks, which was later called off   (See: Bank unions defer strike after IBA offers sops).