Archive · 28 Sep 2026
Bank Strike Deferred After Late-Night IBA-UFBU Talks
Bank employees had planned a three-day strike from September 28 to September 30.
They wanted banks to work five days a week, with all Saturdays becoming holidays.
They also wanted changes to a performance-linked incentive scheme and other benefits.
On Sunday night, bank union representatives and the Indian Banks’ Association met at 9:30 pm.
They agreed to create a committee to study the Saturday holiday request and consult customers and other groups.
They also agreed to discuss changes to the incentive scheme and other pending issues.
Because talks were promised, the unions postponed the strike.
Banks were therefore expected to operate normally on Monday.
The unions said an indefinite strike could begin on October 26 if the issues are not settled.
The United Forum of Bank Unions deferred its September 28-30 nationwide strike after talks with the Indian Banks’ Association.
The two sides agreed to form a high-level committee to examine making all remaining Saturdays bank holidays.
Discussions will begin on changes to the performance-linked incentive scheme for Scale IV and above officers.
Residual issues recorded in the March 8, 2024, minutes will be discussed for quick resolution.
The unions warned that an indefinite nationwide strike could begin on October 26 if their demands remain unresolved.
- Who
- The Indian Banks’ Association and the United Forum of Bank Unions, which represents bank unions and employees.
- What
- The UFBU deferred a planned September 28-30 strike after agreements to discuss Saturday holidays, PLI changes and other unresolved issues.
- When
- The decision followed a meeting at 9:30 pm on Sunday, September 27; the strike had been scheduled for September 28-30.
- Where
- The proposed action was a nationwide bank strike in India.
- Why
- The unions sought a five-day banking week, holidays on all Saturdays, changes to the PLI scheme and progress on other pending demands.
Bank Unions
Banking Authorities and Government
Five-day banking week
Bank Unions
The unions say a five-day work week was included in the March 8, 2024, bipartite settlement and should be implemented, with all Saturdays declared holidays.
Banking Authorities and Government
The Finance Ministry has maintained that there was no commitment to introduce a five-day banking week; the IBA has agreed to examine possible arrangements through a committee.
PLI scheme
Bank Unions
Unions and officers’ associations have raised concerns about the PLI scheme and sought changes, with one report saying they objected to its introduction without adequate consultation.
Banking Authorities and Government
The IBA will discuss possible modifications and may propose them to the government after considering the unions’ observations.
Customer access
Bank Unions
The unions support examining a five-day week while consulting stakeholders so customers are not inconvenienced.
Banking Authorities and Government
The committee is expected to consider customer convenience and other stakeholder concerns before recommending a solution.
- Planned strike
- September 28-30; deferred after the Sunday meeting.
- Meeting time
- 9:30 pm on Sunday, September 27.
- Main demand
- A five-day banking week, including holidays on all Saturdays.
- Current Saturday arrangement
- The articles state that the second and fourth Saturdays are holidays, while other Saturdays are working days.
- PLI discussions
- The IBA will consider proposing modifications to the government’s PLI scheme for Scale IV and above officers.
- Earlier action
- The unions held a one-day nationwide strike on September 11.
- Possible next action
- The unions warned of an indefinite nationwide strike from October 26 if demands remain unresolved.
Sources
Good news! No bank strike today after 9.30 meeting yesterday; Top 4 takeaways from AIBA-UFBU discussion — Full details
Bank strike: Why unions called off 3-day nationwide strike from September 28-30
Bank Strike Deferred, Know- What Happened At The 9:30 PM Meeting On Sunday?
