New Delhi: As conciliatory talks failed to take off, at least 10 lakh government and private bank employees are set to go on strike on December 26 in protest against the government's plan to merge Bank of Baroda, Dena Bank and Vijaya Bank. CH Venkatachalam, General Secretary of the All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA), said that during the dialogue held in Delhi on December 20, the Additional Chief Labour Commissioner asked the three banks and IBA (Indian Banks Association) to hold talks with the unions and convey their sentiments to the government.

According to the general secretary, the decision to go on with the December 26 plan was taken after no assurance came from either IBA or the government. The AIBEA is one of the nine unions in the banking sector that come under the canopy of the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU).

Since December 25 is Christmas, banks would effectively be closed for two days as the protest plan now stands in place.