Archive · 28 Sep 2026
Nationwide Bank Strike Deferred After IBA-UFBU Talks Reach Agreement
Bank employees had planned to stop working across India from September 28 to 30.
Their unions wanted changes such as a five-day work week and better pension benefits.
The Indian Banks’ Association and the United Forum of Bank Unions held talks late Sunday.
After the meeting, they agreed to postpone the strike.
This means bank branches will stay open and normal services will continue.
Customers can deposit or withdraw cash and use cheque services.
A new committee will study the demand for all Saturdays to become holidays.
The final decisions will depend on the committee’s discussions and recommendations.
The nationwide bank strike planned for September 28-30 has been deferred after talks between the Indian Banks’ Association and United Forum of Bank Unions.
Banks will remain open, allowing customers to use regular services such as deposits, withdrawals and cheque-related transactions.
The unions had demanded a five-day work week, making all Saturdays holidays for bank employees.
Other demands included improved pension benefits, a uniform dearness allowance formula and an old-pension option for National Pension System members.
A high-level committee of Indian Banks’ Association and United Forum of Bank Unions representatives will examine the five-day work week proposal.
- Who
- The Indian Banks’ Association and the United Forum of Bank Unions negotiated over the strike and employee demands.
- What
- A planned three-day nationwide bank strike was deferred after the two sides reached an agreement and consensus.
- When
- The strike had been scheduled for September 28-30; talks took place around 9:30 p.m. on Sunday.
- Where
- The strike would have affected banks across India; the talks were reported from Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
- Why
- The strike was called over demands including a five-day work week, improved pension benefits and changes to the National Pension System.
- Strike dates
- September 28-30
- Status
- Deferred after talks between the Indian Banks’ Association and United Forum of Bank Unions
- Bank operations
- Branches will remain open and function normally
- Main demand
- A five-day work week with all Saturdays as holidays
- Pension demands
- Improved pension benefits and a uniform dearness allowance formula for pensioners
- National Pension System demand
- Allowing covered employees to opt for the old pension scheme
- Next step
- A high-level committee will examine the five-day work week proposal