Several employees of banks around the city gathered around the State Bank of India main office here on Thursday demanding an “appropriate” and “immediate” wage hike.
To press for their demands, United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) has called for an all-India bank strike on November 12, as well as a strike in the Southern Zone (including Karnataka) on December 2.
Bank employees said the discussions on the wage revision were being stalled and stymied by the Indian Banks’ Association.
‘No progress’ UFBU, which represents five workmen unions and four officers’ associations, has been in talks with the association since January 2013 to chalk out an acceptable wage increase. However, the union said there was no progress in the talks due to the “callous” attitude of the association that has seen talks take place only once in two months.
A release said IBA’s offer of 11 per cent increase was too little to counter the high inflation and the increased difficulties faced by workers.
Staff efforts The Union said even though banks were short staffed, employees have “successfully” steered schemes such as the financial inclusion programme Jan Dhan, among others.
