Banking services across the country are set to be disrupted with the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) calling a one-day nationwide strike on 11 September, over unresolved demands.
The umbrella body, which represents more than 90 per cent of the banking workforce across public, private, foreign, RRB and cooperative banks through seven constituents — AIBEA, AIBOC, NCBE, AIBOA, BEFI, INBOC and INBEF — said the 11 September action will be followed by a three-day strike from 28 to 30 September. An indefinite strike has been threatened from 26 October if the government and IBA fail to respond.
At the core are four demands: introduction of five-day banking, withdrawal of the revised Performance Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, revising the scheme through bilateral discussion, and resolving pending residual issues including pension-related matters.
On five-day banking, UFBU said the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) had agreed in principle back in 2015 and again as part of the 12th Bipartite Settlement signed on 8 March, 2024. Under that, employees would work 40 minutes extra from Monday to Friday to make all Saturdays holidays. The recommendation is awaiting the Finance Ministry’s approval for over two years, while RBI, LIC, GIC and NABARD already follow a five-day week.
The flashpoint on PLI stems from the government’s March 2026 directive to implement a new incentive formula for senior officers, instead of negotiating modifications sought after the March 2025 strike was deferred. The matter is now before Delhi High Court, the forum noted.
