PANAJI: Goa Urban Co-operative Bank Employees Union and Goa Urban Co-operative Bank Officers Association have decided to go on an indefinite strike with effect from March 29 to protest against the delay on the part of Goa Urban Co-operative Bank to settle charter of demands pending since 2003.

The last wage settlement of the employees and officers expired in December 2002. After expiry of the wage settlement, both the union and the association submitted a charter of demands seeking revision in wages and service conditions.

The bank declined to settle the charter of demands in spite of several representations made to the management. Earlier, due to strike actions of the employees, the management granted interim relief of 5 per cent wage rise with effect January 1, 2003. However, the management declined to settle the charter of demands pending since April 1, 2003 till this day.

Both the union and the association met recently and unanimously decided to go on an indefinite strike from March 29. The union and association had also visited all bank branches and met with employees and officers who also were unanimous that they have no other alternative, but to go on indefinite strike. Employees and officers of the bank are unhappy that although the bank is making profit, the employees and officers are not being given a wage rise due to them.