BENGALURU: Banking services witnessed disruption across the country and also in Bengaluru and other parts of the state as they were closed on Friday due to a strike by employees who have taken on the central government over several issues.
Seven bank unions, which represent about 90 per cent of employees, came together and struck work demanding fulfillment of several demands including implementation of five-day banking. As part of this bank, staff protested near Mysore Bank Circle in Bengaluru also. The bank unions have alleged that matter of five days banking has been pending before the Finance ministry for last two and half years.
The unions have said strike has become inevitable against the backdrop of the failure of conciliatory meeting held on September 8 and 9. The unions are demanding redressal of several issues including reducing staff shortage, workload, pension and OPS-NPS.
In Bengaluru, bank staff protested near Mysore Bank Circle and had gathered inside SBI bank compound and protested by closing the bank. The unions have warned that if suitable response does not come from the government as regards theri demands, their agitation will be intensified further. The unions warned of continuous three days strike on September 28, 29 and 30, and also closing banks indefinitely from October 26.
