Bank strike deferred

UFBU had earlier announced plans to go on a two day strike, followed by further strikes in February and March

The United Forum of Banks Unions (UFBU) have deferred the two day nation-wide strike from January 20, as the Indian Banks Association (IBA) has enhanced its offer from the initial 5% to 9.5% on payslip cost.

"Since there is an improvement in the offer from the IBA, the forum has decided to differ from the strike which was planned for January 20 and 21 and further talks will be carried out," said C H Venkatachalam, general secretary, All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA).

The next round of talks between the forum and the IBA would be held on January 27, he said.

It may be noted that the UFBU had earlier announced plans to go on a two day strike on January 20 and 21, followed by further strikes in February and March 2014 for their demand and urged the Indian Banks Association and Government to resume the talks with a better and reasonable offer of wage increase and expedite the settlement at the earliest.

On December 18, 2013, around 10 lakh Bank employees went on a strike demanding early wage revision and opposing banking reforms, as the talks with the IBA failed to come up with a solution. The IBA argued that the economy is in bad condition and the Banks cannot revise wages now. However, the forum did not agree with this view and reiterated their demand.

UBFU includes AIBEA, All India Bank Officers' Confederation (AIBOC), National Confederation of Bank Employees (NCBE), All India Bank Officers' Association (AIBOA), Bank Employees Federation of India (BEFI), Indian National Bank Employees Federation (INBEF), Indian National Bank Officers Congress (INBOC), National Organisation of Bank Workers (NOBW) and National Organisation of Bank Officers (NOBO).