Bank unions threaten stir as wage talks fail

A day after the umbrella body of the lenders IBA rejected the union's call for steeper wage hikes, the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) has said it will adopt multi-pronged agitational methods from the middle of next month to press for their demands.

The agitational programmes include wearing black badges on 10 October, nationwide demonstrations on 17 October, and sit-ins at all state capitals between 18 and 31 October, which will be followed by one-day nationwide strike, for which the date will be decided later.

The All-India Bank Employees Association general secretary Ch Venkatchalam said that the decision follows the rejection of the union's demand for salary and pension hikes by the Indian Banks Association on Saturday.