Strike hits banking services

Banking services were affected on Friday as employees of public sector banks struck work demanding compassionate appointments, fresh recruitments, one more pension option and ban on outsourcing and merger of public sector banks.

"Unless, firm commitments are given to us, we will not call off the agitation," said Profullo Kumar Patnaik, convenor of United Forum of Bank Unions, a forum of nine unions, after addressing the striking employees.

Patnaik criticised the Indian Bank Association for its tough stance and hoped that good sense would prevail on both the government and IBA after Friday's token strike.

"We will assess the entire situation at a UFBU meeting in Chennai on November 9 and decide further course of action," he said, adding that the unions could go for an indefinite strike if their demands were not met.

"Aaj strike hai (the strike is today)," is what the security guards at most of the public sector banks reply when a customer approaches the banks.

The only respite was that ATMs were working and those with ATM cards could withdraw money to meet emergency requirements, but can not carry out other transactions like cheque encashment, demand draft, etc.

The other key demands of UFBU include permission to PSU banks to open more branches, no removal of existing ceiling of 10 per cent on voting rights in private banks for foreign investors and no interference as far as trade unions rights are concerned.