Bank unions to talk with IBA Feb 23 in Mumbai

Though not agreeable to calling off their four-day strike later this month, bank unions will continue their talks with the Indian Banks' Association (IBA) Feb 23 in Mumbai, a leader said Friday.

"Today (Friday) there was a conciliation meeting in Delhi in the presence of chief labour commissioner. Unions, IBA and some officials of the union finance ministry were there," C.H. Venkatachalam, general secretary, All India Bank Employees Association (AIEBA) told IANS over phone.

Venkatachalam said the IBA officials had asked the unions in the meeting to call off the four-day strike, starting Feb 25.

"We clearly told them that the strike cannot be called off without any tangible offer from the IBA," Venkatachalam said.

It was decided to continue the negotiations with the IBA Monday in Mumbai, he said.

Wage negotiations in the banking sector are held between the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) and the IBA.

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