Bank employees to go on nationwide strike on June 12

Employees of state-owned banks have threatened to go on one-day nationwide strike on June 12 to press their demands for immediate wage settlement with adequate increase in wages and another opportunity to opt for pension scheme for bank staff.     

Among their other demands are withdrawal of 'anti-employee' conditions in negotiations and implementation of compassionate appointment/ex-gratia scheme, UFBU Kerala Unit Convenor V J Johny told reporters here.     

UFBU is an umbrella body of nine employee unions of the country and claims to have large membership in public, private and foreign banks.     

Though the Indian Bank Association has come forward for an increase in the wage bill by 15 per cent, it is inadequate in the context of the changing work profile and role and responsibilities of bank employees and officers, Johny said.     

On the demand to extend another option to Provident Fund optees to join the pension scheme, he alleged that IBA and the government were putting a 'pre-condition' that their demand could be agreed to only if they agreed to imposition of a new contributory pension scheme for future employees.     

He termed as totally unacceptable, IBA's expectation that bank managements be given total freedom on outsourcing.     

As part of the action programmes, UFBU will hold mass rallies and meeting in all centres on June 11.     

"If the IBA continues with its unhelpful attitude, UFBU will meet again and decide on further intensification of the strike," Johny said.