Archive · 28 Sep 2026
Bank Unions Defer Three-Day Strike After Late-Night IBA Talks
Bank unions planned to stop work for three days from September 28 to 30.
They wanted banks to close every Saturday, in addition to Sunday.
They also had concerns about a performance-pay scheme for senior officers and other unresolved issues.
On Sunday night, the unions and the Indian Banks’ Association met to discuss these problems.
They agreed to create a committee to study the Saturday-holiday request.
The committee will speak with customers and other affected groups before suggesting a solution.
The sides will also discuss possible changes to the performance-pay scheme.
Because of this understanding, the unions postponed the strike.
This does not mean that all Saturdays are holidays yet, but banks are expected to work normally on Monday.
The UFBU deferred its nationwide strike planned for September 28-30 after late-night talks with the IBA on September 27.
The IBA and UFBU will immediately form a high-level committee to examine making all remaining Saturdays bank holidays.
The committee will consider alternatives and consult stakeholders, particularly customers; no five-day banking week has been implemented yet.
The two sides will discuss changes to the PLI scheme for Scale IV and above officers and other issues listed in the March 8, 2024 minutes.
Banks are expected to operate normally on Monday, while public sector and regional rural banks had opened on Sunday ahead of the proposed strike.
- Who
- The United Forum of Bank Unions and the Indian Banks’ Association, with issues also involving the government approval process.
- What
- The UFBU deferred a planned three-day nationwide bank strike after agreeing with the IBA to discuss Saturday holidays, the PLI scheme and other pending matters.
- When
- The IBA-UFBU meeting began at 9:30 p.m. on September 27, 2026; the strike had been scheduled for September 28-30.
- Where
- The decision concerns banking operations across India.
- Why
- The unions had sought a five-day banking week, changes to the PLI scheme for senior officers and resolution of other pending issues.
Bank Unions’ Position
IBA and Approval Process
Five-day banking week
Bank Unions’ Position
The UFBU wants all Saturdays to become holidays, creating Saturday-Sunday weekly holidays, and says the proposal has remained pending despite earlier agreements.
IBA and Approval Process
The IBA agreed to form a committee to examine alternatives and consult stakeholders, especially customers; the change requires further discussion and has not yet been approved or implemented.
Performance-linked incentives
Bank Unions’ Position
The unions have objected to the PLI scheme for Scale IV and above officers and have sought its withdrawal or modification.
IBA and Approval Process
The agreed process is to discuss modifications with the IBA, which may propose changes to the government to address the unions’ observations.
Industrial action
Bank Unions’ Position
The UFBU called the strike because it said commitments and other issues had remained unresolved, and it had warned of further action if progress was not made.
IBA and Approval Process
The IBA and government authorities highlighted the potential disruption to customers, businesses and financial operations; the late-night understanding led the UFBU to defer the strike for now.
- Strike dates
- September 28-30, 2026
- Strike status
- Deferred after late-night discussions between the IBA and UFBU
- Saturday holidays
- A joint high-level committee will examine declaring the remaining Saturdays as holidays
- Current arrangement
- Banks are generally closed on the second and fourth Saturdays, while other Saturdays remain working days
- PLI discussions
- The IBA and UFBU will discuss possible modifications to the PLI scheme for Scale IV and above officers
- Other pending issues
- Issues listed in the minutes dated March 8, 2024, will be discussed for expedited resolution
- Bank operations
- Banks are expected to function normally on Monday; public sector and regional rural banks opened on Sunday ahead of the proposed strike
Sources
3-day bank strike deferred: What happened during union body meet? Will SBI, HDFC Bank now remain open 5 days a week?
3-day bank strike has been deferred: Check UFBU's complete statement; decision on Saturdays as holidays, and more
Bank strike deferred as unions, IBA reach agreement
Banks to open as usual today as unions defer 3-day nationwide strike after late-night breakthrough
Bank Unions Postpone Nationwide Strike Over Five-Day Work Week Demand
Bank unions defer 3-day strike after talks, was set to start today
3-day nationwide bank strike deferred: 5-days a week, PLI issues to be discussed
3 day bank strike deferred after late night talks between IBA and UFBU
3-Day Bank Strike Deferred After Meeting Between Banks' Association, Unions
Bank Strike Postponed: Banking Operations To Run Normally On Monday After Unions Defer Sept 28-30 Bandh
Explained: Why 3-day bank strike has been deferred and why it was called on 28, 29, 30 Sept — what changed in between?
3-day nationwide bank strike postponed
