Banking operations were hit across the country by the two-day strike the staffers of all the 26 public sector banks (PSBs) on Wednesday.However, private sector banks and foreign banks functioned as usual.
The strike call was given by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) after their ongoing conciliatory talks with chief labour commissioner failed recently on the issues of the demands including wage revision, second option of pension, opposing FDI and ongoing mergers in the banking sector , appointment on compassionate ground.
Clearing operations and cash handling were affected in the banks, forcing people to throng ATMs. Nearly, 10 lakh employees are striking work across the country. In Tamil Nadu alone, 62,000 of bank staff of various public sector banks joined the strike. Work in public sector and scheduled commercial banks across Kerala came to a halt as the two-day nation-wide strike.
Both clerical and officer-grade employees are participating in the strike called by the umbrella outfit United Forum of Bank Unions. In many places, the striking employees staged demonstrations before main branches of the banks, union sources said.
Meanwhile, the Indian Banks? Association (IBA) has maintained that their negotiations with UFBU, which began early this year, will continue and will not be affected by the current strike. Interestingly, the Indian National Bank Employees? Federation (INBEF) has opted out from the strike. “Strike has been successful and banking services across the country are paralysed,” claimed CH Venkatachalam, convenor of UFBU. About 60,000 branches including those of country’s largest lender State Bank of India have been closed, he said.
