Bank Unions have deferred their nation-wide strike called to protest the proposed merger of State Bank of Indore with State Bank of India following the advice of the Deputy Chief Labour Commissioner that both the management and unions should discuss and sort issues out.

The decision to defer the strike was reached after a meeting yesterday with the Deputy Chief Labour Commissioner, said the All India Banks' Empolyees Association (AIBEA) General Secretary, C H Venkatachalam.

"We strongly opposed the closure of any of Associate Banks and their merger with SBI," he said.

After hearing both sides, he said, the Deputy Chief Commissioner felt that in such a complex issue like merger, both the parties should sit across the table and hold meaningful discussions to find an acceptable solution.

Accordingly, the managements of SBI and State Bank of Indore were asked to invite the union for discussion, he added.

The Deputy Chief Labour Commissioner further advised them not to pursue the merger issue with the RBI and the Government, Venkatachalam said.

Other associations which were part of the meeting included NCBE, AIBOA, BEFI and INBOC. At the same time representatives of Indian Banks' Association, SBI, State Bank of Indore, and other associates were present from the management side.