Hyderabad, Mar 13 :United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) will meet and discuss the strategy and next course of action after the two-day nation-wide strike on March 15 and 16 to oppose the proposed privatization of two Public Sector Banks (PSBs), IDBI Bank and setting up of Bad Bank by the Central Government.

This was informed by All India Bank Employees’ Association (AIBEA) General Secretary Ch Venkatachalam to a Youtube Journalist in Chennai who conducted an online interview with him on Friday.

When the scribe asked Mr Venkatachalam on What will be your next steps, if the Government does not agree with your demands?, he said ‘Do you think that I will discuss our strategy and next course of action through an interview.

That will be discussed by UFBU in our meeting and a decision will be taken. Once UFBU decides, I can share with you. You have to wait till then,’ he added.

To another question, Do you think, with two-day strike, the Union Government will come down and change their decision, the AIBEA General Secretary said ‘ You see, I am not an astrologer. I am a trade unionist. My duty is to oppose if any decision of the Government is wrong. I am an optimist and I believe that we will succeed because, our opposition is logical and factual.

He said I find that employees are responding in a huge way. Young employees who are more in number have understood the danger of privatisation. They may not be fully experienced in trade union struggles. But they are highly educated and very intelligent. Young employees are the frontline warriors in this struggle. It is a very encouraging. Senior employees know the value of struggle and so they are also there to guide.

Further, we are getting a lot of support from all the trade unions in the country.

Many political parties are supporting us. Even the farmers who are now in their struggle are supporting us. Everyone knows the importance of a Government Bank and the disadvantages of a private bank.

Reports must be going to the Government about our agitation and they must be discussing.

Government and the present ruling party also know the importance of public sector banks. It is a milking cow and a golden goose. If the Government will proceed to privatise, then we will intensify the struggle with more prolonged strikes, etc, the top union leader asserted.(UNI)