Bank strike hassles Himachal residents, ATMs run out of cash

Tribune News Service

Shimla, January 31

Banking services in the state remained crippled today following a countrywide strike by nine bank unions, which have given a two-day bandh call.

Most of the public sector banks wore a deserted look as bank employees remained on strike. The customers faced inconvenience as many ATMs ran short of cash and no financial transactions could take place due to the strike.

State president of the United Front of Banking Union, Narendra Chauhan, said after 22 rounds of talks with banking managements, there was no progress for the last five years.

He said the bank managements had hiked the wages up to 12.25 per cent, but it was not acceptable to the employees. The unions wanted 20 per cent hike, he added.

The unions blamed the Centre for forcing them to go on a strike after several rounds of talks.

The banks would go on a three-day strike from March 11 to 13 if their demands were not accepted by the managements, the unions warned.

Chauhan said a charter of seven main demands like hike of wages by 20 per cent, five-day working hours, announcement of special allowance, reforming family pension, etc, was submitted to the managements.

Over 200 bank employees belonging to nine bank unions, including the All-India Banking Employees’ Association, All-India Banking Officers’ Confederation, National Confederation of Banking Employees and other unions joined the protest outside the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Shimla.