AIBOC issues deadline, threatens to go on indefinite stir

Mangalore, Aug 12 (UNI) The All India Bank Officers' Confederation (AIBOC) today threatened to go on an indefinite strike if the Indian Bank Association (IBA) failed to hold discusssion with the United Forum of Bank Union on their charter of demands by August 15.

''If the Indian Bank Association failed to discuss the charter of demands of the United Forum of Bank Union before August 15, bank employees will launch an indefinite strike,'' AIBOC general secretary Amar Pal said.

Speaking at the inauguration of the two-day 17th All India Conference and General Body meeting of Corporation Bank Officers' Organisation (CBOO) here, he said various bank unions had planned to launch agitation during March this year, which was later deferred due to the intervention of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram.

They had assured to direct the IBA to hold discussions with the unions on the demands, he added.

The charter of demands included among other things withdrawal from the proposed move by the government on amalgamation or merger of banks, closure of bank branches, privatisation of banks and bank outsourcing.

''If the IBA failed to hold discussions before the deadline of August 15, we will go for indefinite strike,'' he warned.

UNI