Bank Strike September 28-30 has been postponed after a late-night meeting between the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) and the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) on Sunday.
As a result, bank operations will continue normally during the scheduled strike period.
The meeting began at around 9:30 pm and focused mainly on the long-pending demand for a five-day banking week. The two sides also discussed the Performance Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme and other pending issues.
Bank Strike September 28-30 Postponed
According to C.H. Venkatachalam, General Secretary of the All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA), it was decided to form a joint high-level committee to examine the implementation of the five-day banking demand.
Both sides also agreed to continue bilateral discussions on the PLI scheme and other unresolved matters. The development has led to the postponement of the proposed three-day nationwide bank strike.
Five Day Banking Demand Discussed
According to the UFBU circular, a high-level committee with representatives from the IBA and UFBU will be formed immediately to discuss the demand for making all Saturdays, except the second and fourth Saturdays, holidays for bank employees.
The committee will examine possible options, consult different stakeholders and work towards a solution that can be acceptable to all concerned, including bank customers.
The demand for a five-day banking week remains under consideration. The government has not yet made a concrete announcement on implementing the proposal.
PLI Scheme Also on Meeting Agenda
The IBA has also agreed to initiate discussions on the Performance Linked Incentive scheme for officers in Scale IV and above. The association will propose changes to the government to address concerns raised by unions and bank employees’ associations.
The two sides will also discuss other pending matters mentioned in the minutes of their March 8, 2024 meeting. The objective is to resolve these issues through further discussions.
Indefinite Strike Warning
Although the September 28-30 strike has been postponed, the unions have indicated that the issue is not completely settled.
According to the union position, if discussions with the newly formed committee and the government do not produce a concrete solution to their demands, an indefinite nationwide bank strike could begin from October 26, 2026.
For now, however, bank branches are expected to continue their normal operations during the previously announced September 28-30 strike period.
