PSU bank employees to join trade union strike tomorrow

New Delhi: Banking operations are likely to be hit Friday as employees of six public sector banks have decided to join the stir that has been called by central trade unions to protest against "anti-labour policies" of the government.

Many banks have already communicated to their customers about likely inconvenience. Unions like All India Bank Employees' Association (AIBEA), Bank Employees Federation of India (BEFI), All India Bank Officers' Association (AIBOA), All India Bank Officers' Confederation (AIBOC) and Indian National Bank Officers Congress (INBOC) have served notice, saying they will go on a one-day strike on September 2.

Most banks, including SBI, feel that in case the strike goes ahead, their services are likely to be impacted.

"Bank unions are opposing anti-people banking reforms, privatisation of banks, closure of associate banks and merger with SBI," AIBOC General Secretary Harvinder Singh said.

There is continuous attempt by the government to push their reforms agenda aimed at privatisation of banks, consolidation and merger of banks and the like, said AIBEA General Secretary C H Venkatachalam.

However, National Organisation of Bank Workers (NOBW) and National Organisation of Bank Officers are not part of the strike.

"As Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) is not part of central trade union strike, we as an affiliated organisation are not participating," said NOBW Vice-President Ashwani Rana.

Banks have taken necessary steps to ensure smooth functioning and that there is no cash crunch for retail customers, an official of a public sector bank said.