Bank employees to strike work Aug 6-7

Employees of state-run banks have decided to go ahead with their proposed strike on Thursday and Friday following failure of talks with the government over hike in wages and other demands.

Employees of state-run banks have decided to go ahead with their proposed strike on Thursday and Friday following failure of talks with the government over hike in wages and other demands.

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"Our talks were inconclusive. We are meeting again on Tuesday. But as of now we are going ahead with the strike based on the notice we served on July 21," said NS Virk, vice president All India Bank Officers' Association (AIBOA).

The strike notice has been served by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) - an umbrella organisation representing nine unions of officers and other staff in the banking industry, of which Virk's union is also a member.

The government had asked the unions, which claim membership of over a million staff, to hold talks with the Indian Bank Association (IBA), which is a representative body of bank managements, as also with the chief labour commissioner.

The main demands are wage increase, a better social security net and a proper policy for giving jobs to the family members of deceased or disabled employees on compassionate grounds.

"If some positive results come after the talks, we will consider withdrawing the strike. But as of now the strike call stands," said Virk.