HSBC Malta has warned customers to brace for delays and reduced services as industrial action by its employees intensified on Monday afternoon.In a Facebook post, the bank said “Due to industrial action, we regret to inform our customers that, until further notice, a number of services will not be available or will take longer to be attended to. This action is impacting our Contact Centres as well, however we have ensured that our Emergency Lost and Stolen cards hotline remains available. We shall continue to provide updates as available. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.”The action, which began at 12.30pm, is also affecting HSBC’s Contact Centres. However, the bank stressed that its Emergency Lost and Stolen Cards hotline remains active. View this post on InstagramA post shared by Lovin Malta (@lovinmalta)The strike marks the first sit-in of its kind in years at HSBC Malta, after the Malta Union of Bank Employees (MUBE) accused the bank of refusing to enter “serious talks” over employee compensation linked to HSBC’s planned sale to CrediaBank.MUBE is pushing for between €50 million and €60 million in terminal benefits for staff, arguing that workers are entitled to payouts under a collective agreement clause since their official employer will soon change.CrediaBank has publicly stated there will be no job losses among HSBC Malta’s 900-plus staff, but the interpretation of the agreement has led to a sharp standoff between the union and management.With today’s escalation, customers are now directly feeling the effects of the dispute.•