Employees of public sector banks today went on a two-day nationwide strike to protest

RELATED ARTICLES Andhra Bank profit down 8% at Rs 303 cr HDFC Bank net up 31% on retail boom

merger and consolidation in the sector and delay in settlement of issues like wage revision.

"Talks with the Chief Labour Commissioner have failed and we proceeded with the strike," said United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) Convener V K Gupta.

The Forum has given the two-day strike call to protest delay in settlement of issues like wage revision, second pension option, he said.

Employees are also protesting the government's policy of privatisation and consolidation, he added.

However, major private sector banks remain opened.

There are 26 public sector banks with around 60,000 branches across the country.

Last month, officers of SBI and its associate banks went on a strike against the merger of State Bank of Saurashtra with its parent State Bank of India. Two days later, a section of bank employees of nationalised banks also went on a stir to protest the same issue.

Despite protests, SBS has been merged with the State Bank of India.