Bank unions call off strike

In a big relief to millions of customers, United Forum of Bank Unions, an umbrella body of nine employees' and officers' unions, today called off the proposed three-day strike from March 28.

The strike call was withdrawn after a discussion of the forum with the Indian Banks' Association (IBA), which assured to consider a pension option for bank staff among other demands.

Earlier in the day, the forum representatives met Finance Minister P Chidambaram to draw his attention to the issues pertaining to the public sector bank staff.

The main demands of the unions are "" a pension option besides the existing provident fund, compassionate appointments, no outsourcing of normal banking services and fresh recruitment.