ATM's closed as banks strike enters second day

{image-Banks strike_25092008.jpg news.oneindia.in}New Delhi, Sep 25: Banking operations were affected as the strike call given by the employees union demanding settlement of issues like wage revision and termination of job outsourcing in banking sector among other issues entered the second day on Thursday, Sep 25.

According to reports, operations were almost paralysed in the public sector banks from various parts of the country. However, cash needs of ordinary customers were met by ATMs. On Wednesday, operations of state-run banks remained almost paralysed as about nine lakh employees went on stir. Normal banking transactions are likely to be disrupted across 50,000 branches, including about 15,000 branches of the State Bank of India (SBI) and its six associate banks. Earlier, the conciliatory talks between the Indian Banks' Association (IBA) and the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) under the aegis of Chief Labour Commissioner (CLC), S K Mukhopadhya, failed to yield any results.

The UFBU, comprising nine all-India unions and organisations, is protesting the Government's policy of privatisation and consolidation. It asked the IBA to give a timeframe for resolving the bank unions' demands on wage revision, pension option and compassionate appointment.

The unions are protesting merger and consolidation in the banking sector. Besides the merger, other demands include settlement of issues like wage revision, second option for pension scheme, termination of job outsourcing in the banking industry and immediate appointments in the Class IV cadre.

ANI