Strike cripples banking operations in Kolkata

Banking operations were crippled here on day one of the two-day strike called by an umbrella organisation of top bank employees' and officers' unions across the nation to press for a host of demands including the pending issue of wage revisions.

Branches of nationalised and foreign banks remained closed as the strikers picketed the gates.

Some branches of a couple of private banks opened in the morning hours, but had to down shutters after agitators entered the premises and asked the employees to move out, sources said.

Almost all ATMs of nationalised, private and foreign banks were closed in the metropolis , inconveniencing the customers. A few ATMs of private banks were open till they were closed in the afternoon by the protestors.

As many as 27 public sector banks, 18 private banks, eight foreign banks and 48 regional rural banks across India have joined the strike call by the United Forum of Bank Unions, the umbrella body.

Besides the pending issue of wage revisions, the UFBU is also opposing banking reforms like privatization of banks, mergers, issuing new bank licenses to corporate houses, rising non-performing assets and related aspects.

The UBFU includes AIBEA, National Confederation of Bank Employees, Bank Employees Federation of India, Indian National Bank Employees Federation, Indian National Bank Officers Congress, National Organisation of Bank Workers, All India Bank Officers Association, and National Organisation of Bank Officers.

According to the UFBU, the strike which started Monday 6 a.m. will end Wednesday 6 a.m.