The ATMs may not function after some time today. Cash withdrawals and salary distribution will be affected. But the online transactions may continue giving some relief to the corporates. All India Bank Officers’ Confederation stated that about 1 million bank officers are expected to participate in the strike on May 30 and May 31.
The employees of public sector banks are reportedly going full-steam with their plans and have started the two-day nationwide strike. Several banks, including State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda and Canara Bank, have previously cautioned that their services and normal banking operations would be impacted by the strike.
There was a meeting between the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), finance ministry officials and the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) in an effort to avert the strike. “The officials tried his best to sort out the strike-related issues but there is no positive development. They could not break the ice.
Though the bankers, through the IBA, said they are willing to reconsider the proposed wage hike, there was no concrete proposal. Hence, the strike stands,” All India Bank Employees’ Association General Secretary C H Venkatachalam told.
Some bank employees were sitting in front the branches with red and white banners with their demands and slogan shouting against the Government. Some communist leaders were also sitting with the bankers expressing their solidarity. There was huge rush and withdrawals at the ATMs. Some ATMs have already gone dry without cash.
Some bankers have already alerted the regular customers and the corporate customers. People who were accustomed to getting the payments in the month end were affected it is learnt. Some have postponed the payments to first of June.
