Bank Strike Called Off: Unions and Association Reach Understanding After Late-Night Meeting
The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) has deferred its three-day nationwide bank strike scheduled from September 28 to 30 after holding talks with the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) on Sunday night. The strike was primarily called over the unions' demand for a five-day working week for bank employees.
The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) has deferred its three-day nationwide bank strike scheduled from September 28 to 30 after holding talks with the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) on Sunday night. The strike was primarily called over the unions' demand for a five-day working week for bank employees.
The UFBU represents a large section of bank employees and has been seeking the implementation of a five-day banking week, arguing that staff work long hours and should be given every Saturday off. At present, banks remain closed on the second and fourth Saturdays of every month.
Bank Strike 2026: UFBU Defers 3-Day Nationwide Strike From September 28 After Talks With IBA
Understanding reached. Strike deferred. Details follows. pic.twitter.com/7Qe3wjzI8K
— All India Bank Officers' Confederation (AIBOC) (@aiboc_in) September 27, 2026
Why Was the Bank Strike Called?
The proposed three-day strike was linked mainly to the demand for a five-day working week. The issue has remained under discussion between bank unions and the authorities for more than two years. Bank Strike: Customers Urged To Use Digital Channels Ahead of UFBU's 3-Day Nationwide Strike.
The unions have maintained that a five-day working week was discussed during earlier wage negotiations. However, government sources have said that the proposal was neither formally agreed upon nor included in the wage settlement. Bank Strike: Will UPI, Mobile Banking and ATMs Work During the 3-Day Nationwide Walkout?
The Finance Ministry had also appealed to bank employees to withdraw the strike call, warning that industrial action could disrupt banking services across the country.
What Happened During Talks With IBA?
The decision to defer the September 28-30 strike came after discussions between the UFBU and IBA on Sunday night. The talks followed weeks of disagreement over the status of the five-day working week proposal.
The Finance Ministry had earlier said that several other demands raised by bank employees had already been addressed during previous negotiations. These included changes related to family pensions, while a proposed performance-linked incentive scheme had been kept in abeyance.
What About the October 26 Indefinite Strike?
The UFBU had also announced plans for an indefinite strike from October 26 over the five-day working week demand.
It was not immediately clear whether the latest discussions between the UFBU and IBA resulted in any agreement on the five-day week or whether they would have an impact on the proposed October 26 strike.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 27, 2026 11:37 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
