The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) has decided to go ahead with its proposed banking sector strike on September 11, 2026. UFBU said that there was no positive outcome from its meeting with the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA).
According to a circular issued by the UFBU on September 4, 2026, the IBA had invited the bank unions for discussions on the demands mentioned in the strike notice. The meeting was attended by representatives of the IBA and all major UFBU constituent unions, including AIBEA, AIBOC, NCBE, AIBOA, BEFI, INBOC and INBEF.
During the meeting, IBA Chief Executive A.K. Goel said that a strike in the banking sector could affect economic activities as well as banking services. He also said that the issues raised by the unions could be discussed and resolved through bilateral negotiations. The IBA appealed to the UFBU to defer the strike and continue discussions to find an acceptable solution.
However, the UFBU said that the issues raised by the unions are important and cannot be delayed any further. The unions particularly highlighted the long-pending demand for five-day banking. They said that they had earlier deferred their strike planned for March 24 and 25, 2025, after receiving an assurance from a senior Department of Financial Services (DFS) official that the issue would receive priority attention at the government level. According to the UFBU, there has been no further development on the matter.
The unions also raised concerns over the Performance Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. They said that the matter had been discussed with the IBA in September 2025 following advice from the Chief Labour Commissioner (CLC), and suggestions were submitted to the DFS for changes to the scheme. However, the unions said they have not received a positive response from the government.
The UFBU further objected to the government and DFS directing banks to implement what it described as a unilateral and discriminatory PLI scheme for Scale IV officers and above, while the matter is still pending before the CLC.
The bank unions also said that several other pending and residual issues remain unresolved. In view of the lack of a definite outcome from the meeting, the UFBU said it was not possible to defer the September 11 strike.
The UFBU has therefore called upon its member unions and bank employees to intensify their preparations and make the strike programme successful.
