Bank strike today: ALERT! Bank ATMs, branches, could be shut or business affected

Bank strike today: Banking operation across the country could be affected by a strike call given by two bank employees unions. These employees are on a 24-hour strike from today morning protesting against the merger of banks. It could be the third consecutive day in Maharashtra of banks remaining closed.  In Maha and Haryana banks were closed on Monday due to voting for assembly elections.

However, the banking operations of all banks may not be fully affected. PSU banks State Bank of India (SBI), Bank of Maharashtra, Bank of Baroda, Oriental Bank of Commerce, and Syndicate Bank, among others, could be affected due to bank strike.  However, State Bank of India (SBI), the country's largest bank, said that the employees strike will have minimal impact on its operations, as well as several other PSU banks.

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Earlier, Bank Employees Federation of India (BEFI) and All India Bank Employees Association (AlBEA) had given a bank strike call on Tuesday (today). All India Bank Officers' Association (AIBOA), among other trade unions, has extended its support to the bank strike call. Though the strike may not fully affect the banking operation, it could partially paralyse the day-to-day functioning.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman earlier announced a mega merger plan for 10 PSU banks after the merger Bank of Baroda with Vijaya Bank and Dena Bank. Under the plan, the government decided to merge United Bank of India, and Oriental Bank of Commerce with Punjab National Bank. After the merger, it will be the second-largest public sector bank. Syndicate Bank and Canara Bank will be merged, while Andhra Bank and Corporation Bank will be merged with Union Bank of India. Allahabad Bank will be merged with Indian Bank.

Earlier too, bank officers' unions had threatened to go on strike. Unions also have other demands like increase in interest rates on bank deposits, among others.