Strike hits banking services in Ambala

Public sector bank employees observed a one-day token strike on Wednesday following a call from the United Forum of Banks Union and Haryana Bank Employees Federation.

Due to the strike, banking operation in 60 branches here had come to a standstill and the transactions over Rs 300 crores were affected.

Earlier in the day, employees assembled near UCO Bank and shouted slogans against the government.
Addressing the workers, union leader RK Gulati claimed that their protest was against the Banking Regulation Act which was against the interests of the employees.

Gulati said that the ninth bipartite settlement with the banking managements had expired on October 31, 2012, and a charter of demand had already been given to the government."But no decision has been taken on this," he said.

Employees' leaders asserted that the union resent the entry of foreign banks in the country and the merger of nationalised banks.

Leaders said that the move to close the rural branches running in losses would deprive the rural population from the banking services.