The Bengal Provincial Bank Employees' Association has decided that they would go in for a three day long ATM strike in Bengal this month.

The Association has decided that the ATM strike would be called on May 27, 28 and 29th. The motive behind the strike is to demand for minimum wages as have been notified by the Centre and eight hour work schedule for ATM contract employees.

The strike would encompass ATMs of 14 PSU Banks which also includes SBI. Five private sector banks would also be joining the strike.

These banks include Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, PNB, Allahabad Bank, Central Bank, Union Bank, Bank of Maharashtra, United Bank of India, UCO Bank, Andhra Bank, Vijaya Bank, Bank of Rajasthan, Yes Bank, Federal Bank and Karur Vysya Bank.

These banks have a total ATM count of over 2000 in Bengal and over 4000 contract employees.

BPBEA general secretary Rajen Nagar said, "We know customers will suffer because of the strike but we have no other option," he said.

"ATM contract employees in other banks get Rs 2,000-3,000, which is lower than the subsistence wage. The working hours are longer than the stipulated hours. This cannot go on indefinitely," he said.