Bank Strike Deferred After IBA-UFBU Talks on Key Issues
Three-day strike scheduled for September 28-30 put off; committee to examine five-day banking week and other demands
- Nationwide bank strike scheduled for September 28-30 deferred.
- IBA-UFBU committee to examine demand for Saturday holidays.
- PLI scheme for Scale IV and above officers to be discussed.
- Residual issues from March 8, 2024 talks to be taken up.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 28th Sept: The three-day nationwide bank strike scheduled from September 28 to 30 has been deferred after the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) and the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) reached an understanding on key issues, the union body said in a statement on September 27.
The decision followed a meeting between the IBA and UFBU at 9:30 pm on September 27. Under the understanding reached between the two sides, a high-level committee comprising representatives of the IBA and UFBU will be constituted immediately to discuss the demand for declaring the remaining Saturdays as holidays.
The committee will examine possible alternatives, consult stakeholders and work towards a solution acceptable to all parties, including bank customers, the UFBU said.
The two sides will also hold discussions on the Performance Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme applicable to Scale IV and above officers. According to the UFBU, the discussions may lead to proposed modifications to the scheme, which could subsequently be taken up with the government to address concerns raised by unions and associations.
The residual issues listed in the minutes of the discussions held on March 8, 2024, will also be taken up for early resolution, the union forum said.
“In view of the above, it was agreed by the UFBU that the proposed agitational programmes and strike actions will be deferred,” the union body said.
The central demand of bank unions has been the implementation of a five-day banking week, with all Saturdays and Sundays declared holidays. At present, banks remain closed on the second and fourth Saturdays of every month.
The IBA had recommended making all Saturdays holidays, but implementation of the proposal has remained pending.
The unions have also raised issues related to pension benefits, including demands concerning employees covered under the National Pension System (NPS), along with pending wage-related matters and changes to the PLI scheme.
The September 28-30 strike had been planned as part of the unions’ continuing agitation over these issues. The proposed strike was also expected to coincide with the half-yearly closing of banks on September 30.
