Bengaluru: Services at public sector banks in the city were hit with employees resorting to a day's strike in response to a call from two major bank staff unions. Many bank branches had put up closure notices, with customers getting caught off guard by this development. Many ATMs witnessed long queues.
The nationwide strike call was given by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), an umbrella body of nine unions including the All Indian Bank Officers Confederation and All India Bank Employees’ Association (AIBEA). The unions are protesting against the Centre’s proposed consolidation of public sector banks, inadequate capital support for banks and loan defaults by large borrowers.
Tuesday’s strike added to the misery of customers as there were many bank holidays this month. Last week banks were closed for four successive days – from August 12 to 15 and they will also remain closed on August 25 (Ganesh Chaturthi), 26 (Fourth Saturday) and 27 (Sunday). Taking into account 6th (Sunday), banks would have nine holidays in August.
