Bank unions call for strike on Nov 12 over wage hike

Bank employees have given a nationwide strike call on November 12 to press for immediate resolution of wage hike issue, the talks on which remain stalled.
The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), an umbrella organisation comprising various employee bodies, has given the strike call.
All-India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA) General Secretary C H Venkatchalam said they were forced to give a strike call as Indian Banks Association (IBA) has rejected demand for higher wages and are sticking to their earlier 11 per cent hike citing poor financials of the lenders.
IBA is the representative body of bank managements.
UFBU has decided to take out rallies on October 30 in all the state capitals and other centres across the country before observing the strike, Venkatchalam said.

The one-day stir will be followed by relay strikes on December 2 in the South, on December 3 in the North the next day in the West and on December 5 in the Northeast, he said.

AIBEA, with over 5 lakh members, is a major constituent of UFBU.
Venkatchalam warned that if the IBA does not meet their demand, the unions will be forced to take more drastic steps like an indefinite strike.
"We have categorically informed IBA that we will be reasonable and flexible in our approach provided the same is shown by the IBA on the issues raised by us. But IBA is adamant and has refused to improve their offer and stuck to 11 per cent (salary) hike," he said.

The 27 public sector banks have a combined employee strength of about 8 lakh.