Strike by 10 trade unions to hit services today; PSUs to join

ESSENTIAL services such as banking, public transport and telecom may be hit today as 10 central trade unions (CTUs) will go on one-day nationwide strike against the government’s “indifference” towards their demands and effecting “anti-worker” changes in labour laws.
The unions have claimed that this year’s strike will be bigger as the number of striking workers is likely to go up as much as 18 crore, larger than last year when around 14 crore...

Bank officers to go on nationwide strike on December 11

THE All-India Bank Officers’ Confederation (AIBOC) has given a call for a nationwide strike on December 11 in support of its various demands. The notice of strike has been E-mailed to all concerned, says Harvinder Singh, general secretary, AIBOC. The day-long strike was preceded by protests including wearing of black badges while on duty on December 2; demonstrations at the headquarters of all banks on December 4; and mass demonstrations at major centres and state capitals on December 7.
The Joint Note for the 10th bipartite settlement...

Can PSU banks use their profits for higher salaries? FM says ‘No’

FM P Chidambaram

AGAINST the backdrop of the two-day long strike by PSU bank employees seeking higher wages, finance minister P Chidambaram in a strong rebuttal of their demand, said the profit of banks cannot be used only to enhance salaries since there are other obligations. “I will appeal to employees and officers of banks to recognise that banks profits, banks earnings have other claims. While claims of officers, staff and employees must be duly acknowledged, and a fair and just (wage) settlement is arrived at, there are other claimants to banks’ profit,” he said. Speaking during the 78th foundation day of...