SBI staff begin fresh round of talks

The union has clarified that it won't withdraw its demand for pension raise.

Striking State Bank of India employees began a fresh round of talks with bank Chairman AK Purwar to find a solution to their indefinite strike, demanding higher pension, that entered the sixth day on Saturday.

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"We have been invited by the Chairman for a fresh round of talks at the SBI headquarters," All India SBI Staff Federation General Secretary PK Patanaik told reporters before going into the meeting with Purwar.

However, he made it clear that the union would not retreat from its demand for increasing pension to the tune of 50 per cent of last drawn salary.

"We have already softened our stand and asked the management to bring down the pension benefit to the General Manager level from our earlier demand up to the Deputy Managing Director level," All India State Bank Officers' Federation President Amar Pal said.

Meanwhile, SBI employees said they would work on Sunday as well as 24 hours for the next two days provided the management gives a written assurance that their demand would be met.

About 2.10 lakh employees in 9,000 branches of the bank across the country went on an indefinite strike on April 3 in support of their demand seeking higher pension.