AMN / NEW DELHI
Banking services in the public sector banks were affected today due to a strike by Unions against the proposed merger of Vijaya Bank and Dena Bank with Bank of Baroda.
The strike has been called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) – an umbrella organisation of all 9 unions including the All India Bank Officers Confederation, the All India Bank Employees’ Association among others.
However, branches of new generation private sector banks remain unaffected by the strike called by UFBU.
This is the second bank strike in less than a week. Last Friday, an officers’ union of state-run banks observed a day-long strike to protest against the merger.
CH Vekatachalam, AIBEA (All India Bank Employees’ Association) General Secretary, said during their meeting with the additional chief labour commissioner, no assurance was offered, forcing them to go on the bank strike. Major demands of the bank unions include immediate settlement of wage negotiations and assurance from the government that there will be no bank merger of Vijaya Bank and Dena Bank with Bank of Baroda. The bank unions believe the proposed merger will not help the government as the merged entity will still not find a place in top 10 banks globally.