Banking services hit as bank unions in Odisha join nationwide strike

Bhubaneswar: Services in public sector banks across the State were today affected after employees took to streets as part of the two-day nationwide strike called by the United Forum of Bank Unions.

Holding banners, staff of different government banks including State Bank of India (SBI) and Bank of India (BoI) staged demonstrations at various places including Bhubaneswar and Rourkela pressing for various demands, including pay revision.

Since the strike coincides with the month-end, salary withdrawals from branches are likely to get affected.  However, the strike will not affect online banking transactions such as net banking, mobile banking and ATM transactions.

"People will not face any inconvenience in withdrawing cash as ATMs have been filled up. Also, private banks like Axis, ICICI and HDFC are functioning normally," said an agitating banker

The UFBU called for the two-day strike after the Indian Banks' Association (IBA) failed to make any improved offer over the two per cent wage hike made earlier, said a member of All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA).