Agartala, January 22 (TIWN) : Bank strike from January 21st- 24th was postponed due to the assurance of Indian Bank Associations’ (IBA). Earlier, nationalized sector bank union had proposed for four days strike, while negotiations will continue with the management representatives on wage hike and other issues.

The four-day strike of employees from nationalized banks scheduled to start from 21st January has been postponed. "The four-day bank strike put on hold as Indian Banks' Association (IBA) has assured to expedite talks and resolve the wage increase issue by February. The strike call was given by United Forum of Bank Unions (UBFU), which has more than 10 lakh employees and officers of banking Industry under its umbrella. However, the unions have warned that if IBA fails to resolve the wage issue by February, then there would be fresh call for strikes.

Everyone is aware that employees and officers in the banking sector are doing their best to serve the customers and implement various schemes of the government despite innumerable hardships and difficulties. Yet, the genuine demand for adequate wage revision is being delayed and denied, UFBU, State Unit leaders said that it is two years since we submitted our charter of demands. While 13 rounds of negotiations have taken place, there is no satisfactory process in the talks because of the negative attitude of the IBA/Government.

The Forum alleged that their prolonged 13-point charter of demands was not fulfilled by IBA/Government which forced them to resort to further violent extent of agitation. Earlier, United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), State Unit, representing employees of public and private sector banks had observed one day strike regarding various demands on December 04.