The All India Bank Employees Association will stage aplanned nationwidestrike July 12-13 after a meeting with India's chief labor commissioner failedto bring desired results, The Hindu Business Line reported July 10, citingC.H. Venkatachalam, general secretary of AIBEA.

Bank unions are opposed to the proposed merger of associatebanks into State Bank ofIndia, as well as the planned privatization of

Employees from the five associate banks will go on strike July12, while all bank employees will join the strike July 13.