Around 800,000 employees of public sector banks are planning to strike work on June 12. The strike has been called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) over wage revision and pension issues.
Meanwhile, the labour department has called IBA and representatives of unions for conciliatory talks on June 5, “if the talks fail, more strikes are likely to follow in July and August,” according to a spokesperson of UFBU.
C H Venkatachalam, convenor, United Forum of Bank Employees Union (UFBEU), told Business Standard that the on May 11, IBA had agreed to take an additional wage load of 15 per cent over the existing wage bill, which would cost the public sector banks an additional expenditure of around Rs 4,125 crore. “However, the forum has rejected the offer and expects IBA to improve the offer, keeping in mind the increased work load in the branches,” he said.
Another demand for a chance to opt for pension under an IBA proposal, which would cover new recruits under the New Pension System (NPS) was hanging fire, said Venkatachalam.
He said the unions were open to the question of NPS for new recruits, but this cannot be set as a pre-condition for giving existing employees another chance for pension.
IBA, while agreeing to consider demands, insists that henceforth those who join banks will be compulsory governed by different pension scheme recently floated by the government. The union suggested that let the option demand be considered and thereafter the case for introducing new pension scheme for new employees could be discussed, said Venkatachalam.
IBA also expects the unions to give a free hand to banks for outsourcing some banking services which is unacceptable to the unions. Meanwhile, the labour department has called IBA and unions representatives for conciliatory talks on June 5 in New Delhi. “During the meeting, IBA should discuss the issue with an open mind to find a solution. Otherwise, the July 12 strike plan will become unavoidable. More strikes will follow in July and August,” said Venkatachalam.
I Don't understand why govt. is not dealing properly with the psu bank wage revision and offering just 15%,though they have given 30-40% to central govt.employees?
Hi Venkatachalam,
Why are you telling that more strikes are planned in july and august when IBA is not at all considering basic concerns of bank employees?
Just compare Central govt and TN State govt employees who work 5 days/week with less work pressure get 40-70% wage hike with Bank employee gets just 15%?
You people should start agitating this month itself... Settling anything less than 30% would be very bad for bank emplyees and you can better dissolve UFBU which is another useless union...
It is too late and employees are frustrate on their wage revision talks. Let go for indifinate strike, If the govt. gave huge revision to their
central/state govt. employees why not the bank employees who's just demands are pending since long. I appeal to all my h'ble com. leaders to take action and do not let down us in our eyes.
Content Guide
