Union Bank Employees Warn of Nationwide Strike Over Staff Shortage, Transfers and Other Issues
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The All India Union Bank Employees Federation (AIUBEF) has threatened one-day all-India strike, if Union Bank of India management fails to address several employee-related issues.
The federation has raised concerns over staff shortages, recruitment, employee transfers, Special Customer Service Associate (CSA) posts, alleged vindictive action against a union leader, and the payment of bonus and minimum wages to casual workers.
1. Union Bank Staff Shortage: Federation Demands Clerical Recruitment
The federation expressed concern that Union Bank of India had not submitted its recruitment requirements to the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) for clerical recruitment for the financial year 2027–28. It claimed that other public sector banks had already submitted their requirements, while Union Bank had not done so.
According to the federation, several branches are facing a severe shortage of clerical staff. It alleged that some branches have only one Customer Service Associate (CSA), while others do not have even a single CSA.
The staff shortage is so severe that the transfer of a female employee was accepted on spouse ground but she was not relieved because of the shortage of staff at her existing branch.
The federation has demanded that the bank should immediately submit its recruitment requirements to IBPS for an adequate number of clerical employees for the financial year 2027–28.
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Demand for Recruitment in the Subordinate Staff Cadre
The federation also highlighted the shortage of subordinate staff, including housekeepers and peons. It stated that the last recruitment in this cadre took place in 2015–16.
As of November 30, 2021, Union Bank had 9,184 branches but only 4,895 housekeeper-cum-peons following the amalgamation of Andhra Bank and Corporation Bank with Union Bank of India.
The federation argued that branches need adequate housekeeping and subordinate staff for smooth functioning. It alleged that casual workers were being engaged to fill the gaps created by vacant permanent posts.
2. Federation Demands Withdrawal of Action Against Shri M. Binu
The federation alleged that Union Bank management was taking vindictive action against Shri M. Binu, General Secretary of the Union Bank of India Employees Federation, Kerala.
According to the letter, Shri Binu was performing his organisational duties as a trade union representative within the framework of the Trade Unions Act, 1926.
The federation stated that he had not committed any wrongdoing against the bank in his capacity as an employee or union leader.
3. AIUBEF Seeks Clarification Over Alleged Defamatory Remarks
The federation raised concerns over an alleged defamatory statement made by Shri Vikash Kumar, the then General Manager (HR), during conciliation proceedings related to the strike notice dated March 16, 2026.
The letter described the allegation as unfounded and damaging to the reputation of the federation.
AIUBEF stated that it had written to the bank management on August 12, 2026, asking it to address the matter. However, it claimed that neither a clarification nor any action against Shri Vikash Kumar had followed.
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4. Federation Raises Concerns Over Inter-State and Intra-State Transfers
The federation alleged that several employee transfer requests remained pending despite vacancies being available.
It referred to a statement made by Shri Suresh Chandra Teli, the then Chief General Manager (HR), on May 30, 2026. According to the letter, he had stated that all inter-state transfer orders had been issued as of March 27, 2026, and no cases were pending.
However, the federation claimed that several inter-state transfer cases were still pending. It also alleged that intra-state transfer orders were not being issued promptly, even when vacancies were available and employees were waiting for transfers.
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Compassionate Transfers Also Pending
The federation said that the bank’s policy of giving preference to employees seeking transfers over new recruits was not being followed properly.
It also highlighted the case of an employee whose compassionate transfer application had reportedly been pending since 2021.
The federation demanded that pending inter-state, intra-state and compassionate transfer requests be resolved at the earliest.
It further requested that temporary transfer applications should not remain pending for unnecessarily long periods.
5. Demand for Timely Relieving After Transfer Orders
The federation criticised the delay in relieving employees who had already received transfer orders or orders for higher assignments.
It said management had a responsibility to ensure that such orders were implemented within a reasonable and clearly defined period.
According to the federation, proper manpower planning could help prevent unnecessary delays.
It demanded that no transfer or higher-assignment order should remain pending for more than three months after issuance.
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AIUBEF Demands Creation of Special CSA Posts for 2024, 2025 and 2026
The federation also demanded the creation of Special Customer Service Associate (Special CSA), or Special Assistant, posts for the years 2024, 2025 and 2026.
It stated that no such posts had been created for these years.
According to the letter, a settlement was signed between the management and AIUBEA on December 15, 2023. The settlement reportedly provided for identifying new Special CSA vacancies from the financial year 2023 onwards based on business criteria or further discussions between the parties.
The federation questioned the absence of new Special CSA posts and alleged that the arrangement was adversely affecting employees who were not members of AIUBEA.
It demanded that Special CSA posts be created as soon as possible for the financial years 2024, 2025 and 2026, with effect from April 1 of the respective years.
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7. Demand for Bonus and Minimum Wages for Casual Workers
The federation alleged that casual workers employed in the bank were not receiving bonus and minimum wages regularly.
It referred to the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965, the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, and the Code on Wages, 2019.
According to the letter, the bank’s Central Office had initiated an exercise to collect information about casual workers across branches and facilitate the payment of minimum wages.
The exercise was reportedly initiated through a letter dated August 28, 2026, issued by the General Manager (HR), under reference number HRAD:CO:20315.
However, the federation alleged that the exercise was later abandoned.
It described bonus and minimum wages as statutory rights of casual workers and demanded that the bank ensure payment of these benefits without further delay.
The federation also demanded that eligible casual workers receive the payments with retrospective effect.
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