UFBU proposes indefinite strike from May 3

Hyderabad, Mar 9 (UNI) The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) today announced that it would go on a three-day countrywide strike from March 28, and an indefinite strike from May 3 if the Centre and the Indian Banks Associaton (IBA) failed to concede employees' demands.

Addressing a press conference here, UFBU State unit Convenor and All India Andhra Bank Officers Federation General Secretary K Ramakoteswara Rao said the UFBU, comprising of nine unions operating in the banking Industry covering all employees, chalked out an action programme to realise the long pending issues which were unresolved despite flexibility shown in the negotiations by the forum's constituents.

The UFBU's four pending demands include, employees be given one more chance to opt for pension and withdrawal of guidelines for introduction of 'defined contributory pension scheme'. Continuance of compassionate appointments in the banking sector, recruitment of additional one lakh work force in all cadres to improve the working conditions of existing staff and withdrawal of the proposed outsourcing of banking functions in the sector are the other three demands.

He said the proposed outsourcing was a direct threat to the jobs of staff and also exposing bank interest from safe and secure to high risk.

Mr Rao said the action programmes would include march to Parliament on March 12 and Centralized demonstrations on March 21 and 27 and Mass Dharna Programme on March 26.

He said UFBU AP state unit was gearing up its organisational machinery to prepare fully for implementation of the strike programmes.

He said the UFBU appealed to the Government and the IBA to start a dialogue process with the unions to resolve the pending issues to avert the strike in March and indefinite strike from May three.

UNI