The controversy between NOBO, NOBW and UFBU does not seem to end. UFBU has accused NOBW and NOBO of working separately and taking up important issues with BMS and the Government without first discussing them with other UFBU unions. UFBU has removed leaders of NOBO and NOBW from its official WhatsApp group and has also informed IBA that UFBU now consists of only 7 unions.
Now, NOBO and NOBW have replied to the accusations made by UFBU. They said that the main reason for finding fault with them seems to be the meeting of NOBO/NOBW with the Hon’ble Finance Minister and discussing issues pertaining to the Banking fraternity under the leadership of their parent body, Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS).
UFBU had questioned who permitted NOBO and NOBW to take up the issues relating to 5-day Banking etc. with the BMS and the Finance Ministry.
NOBO and NOBW have said that as UFBU is a voluntary organization of the nine operating trade unions in the Banking Industry, each trade union is independent to pursue the issues in the line they deem fit and if the same can be resolved due to the efforts of any unit, it should be appreciated and not depreciated.
NOBO and NOBW also said that several UFBU constituents had taken some actions independently in the past.
01. During Dec-2024, the President of AIBOC along with other office bearers of AIBOC met the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Parliament and discussed certain issues relating to Bankers that were under the consideration of UFBU.
02. The General Secretary of AIBEA has met the Hon’ble Finance Minister on a number of occasions with a Member of Parliament without any discussions with any of the UFBU constituents and had issued circulars in this context.
03. The General Secretary of AIBOC filed a writ petition in the High Court of Delhi regarding the new PLI matrix communicated by the Finance Ministry.
04. In response to the DFS letter dated 10.07.2026, the three unions, viz., AIBOC, AIBEA and NCBE, had raised objections with DFS on IR Meetings with minority unions. These three unions had again, vide their letter dated 01.08.2026, taken up the matter relating to IR Meetings with minority Unions, as if only NOBO/NOBW benefitted from the DFS Directions. In fact, the signatories to the letters are in minority in one Bank or the other and the current DFS directions give an equal opportunity to the signatories as well.
05. When DFS issued directions on the Transfer Policy of Officers, it was objected to and criticized by GS, AIBEA, who is a non-party to the officers’ transfer policy.
NOBO and NOBW said that it was surprising that they were being questioned when there was a precedent for constituents taking up issues unilaterally. In fact, the meeting with the LoP had triggered a sharp reaction from the Hon’ble Finance Minister and it had adversely affected the efforts of UFBU, including the issue of 5-day Banking. There was no reaction by any of the constituents of UFBU to such blatant misuse of power by the then President, AIBOC.
Now, suddenly the UFBU constituents are finding fault with NOBO/NOBW for pursuing the very dear to heart issue of 5-day Banking under the tutelage of BMS.
NOBO and NOBW said that the constituents who are in minority may understand that the so-called majority unions are not comfortable with the communications dated 10.07.2026 and 30.07.2026 of the DFS relating to the conduct of IR meetings with minority unions and their efforts to scuttle such meetings did not fructify, hence this anger.
NOBO & NOBW said that they were removed from UFBU because of the following demands:
- Transparent Transfer Policy
- Faster culmination and signing of Bipartite Settlements / Joint Notes
- Meeting of Bank Management with Minority Unions
- 5 Day Banking
- Pension updation
