United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) calls for bank strike on 11th September 2026 demanding 5 Days Banking. Circular details conciliation meetings, DFS, IBA talks, and pending residual issues.
UFBU BANK STRIKE ON 11th SEPTEMBER 2026
United Forum of Bank Unions – Circular No. 30/28/2026/61, Dated 09.09.2026
Circular No.
30/28/2026/61
Issuing Authority
United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU)
Strike Date
11th September 2026
Primary Demand
5 Days Banking
Strike Date
11th Sept 2026
All India Bank Strike
Primary Demand
5 Days Banking
Agreed in March 2024 settlement
Called By
UFBU
All Bank Unions
Background & Recent Developments
- Strike Notice Served: UFBU had served a strike notice on IBA demanding 5 Days Banking and other residual issues.
- Talks with IBA on 4th Sept 2026: IBA invited UFBU for discussions. Since IBA could not offer any solution to the demands, UFBU informed them that they shall go ahead with the strike action.
- Conciliation Meeting on 8th Sept 2026: Shri Niranjan Kumar, Dy. Chief Labour Commissioner (Central), Ministry of Labour convened a conciliation meeting. Representatives of IBA, DFS (Ministry of Finance), public sector banks, private sector banks, and all UFBU unions were present.
- What DFS Said: DFS informed that various initiatives have been taken by the Government. DFS has advised Banks to keep the PLI scheme for Scale 4 to 8 officers in abeyance for 2025-26 for bilateral discussions. On 5 Days Banking, the Government is seized of the issue and it is still under consideration. DFS requested UFBU to defer the strike.
- What IBA Said: IBA representative stated that in view of positive instructions on the PLI issue and 5 Days Banking being under consideration, UFBU may defer the strike call and continue discussions.
- What UFBU Said: UFBU noted the Government's decision on PLI, protested the attempt to boost an outside organisation not a negotiating union. UFBU pointed out that 5 Days Banking was already agreed upon in the settlement in March 2024 and recommended to the Government for approval, but is being inordinately delayed.
Meetings with DFS and CLC
- Meeting Called by DFS: Ms. Shalini Pandit, IAS, Joint Secretary, DFS, Finance Ministry, spoke to UFBU stating that the PLI issue has been resolved amicably as per UFBU demand and 5 Days Banking issue is under consideration. Government has advised IBA to expedite next bipartite settlement well in advance. However, no timeline was given, and the Government said going on strike may further delay the issue.
- Conciliation Meeting Today: The adjourned conciliation proceedings were held online, chaired by Ms. Sonal Mishra, IAS, Chief Labour Commissioner. From DFS, Ms. Shalini Pandit, IAS, Joint Secretary was present with other officials. Dy. CLC, RLC, and various management representatives were present. All were requesting and appealing to UFBU to defer the strike.
- UFBU's Response: UFBU repeated its submissions that 5 Days Banking is an important issue since IBA had agreed to the same as early as March 2024, but for the past two and a half years, the issue is kept pending by the Government. UFBU regretted its inability to accede to the request to defer the strike.
Pending Residual Issues
- Adequate Recruitment: Recruitment of clerical and substaff in Banks.
- NPS to OPS: Conversion of National Pension System to Old Pension Scheme.
- Income Tax Exemption: Exemption of Income Tax on 4% extra contribution by Banks to NPS.
- Gratuity Ceiling: Increase in ceiling on Gratuity under the Gratuity Act.
- Pension Updation: Updation of pension and uniform DA on pension.
- Ex-gratia: Revision in Ex-gratia to pre-November 2022 pensioners; Ex-gratia in all private banks.
- Director Posts: Deliberate non-filling up of Workman and Officer Director posts in Banks.
- Leave Bank: Introduction of Leave Bank.
- Medical Insurance: Premium on Medical Insurance Policy for retirees to be borne by the Banks.
Important Points to Note
- Strike Call: UFBU has called for a bank strike on 11th September 2026.
- Primary Demand: 5 Days Banking, which was already agreed upon in the March 2024 settlement but is pending Government approval.
- PLI Issue: The Government has advised Banks to keep the PLI scheme for Scale 4 to 8 officers in abeyance for 2025-26 for bilateral discussions.
- DFS Stand: DFS has stated that 5 Days Banking is under consideration but cannot give a timeline.
- UFBU Stand: Without any definite development or timeline, UFBU cannot reconsider the strike call.
- Residual Issues: Several other demands including NPS to OPS, Gratuity ceiling, pension updation, and ex-gratia remain unresolved.
- March On: UFBU calls upon all unions and members to implement the strike on 11th September 2026 and make it a total success.
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📥 Download PDF Share on WhatsApp Share via Gmail Share on TelegramFrequently Asked Questions
When is the UFBU bank strike scheduled?
The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) has called for a bank strike on 11th September 2026.
What is the primary demand for the strike?
The primary demand is 5 Days Banking, which was already agreed upon in the March 2024 settlement and recommended to the Government for approval but is being inordinately delayed.
What did the Government say about the PLI issue?
The DFS has advised Banks to keep the PLI scheme for Scale 4 to 8 officers in abeyance for 2025-26, and the same would be bilaterally discussed between the unions and the IBA.
What is the Government's stand on 5 Days Banking?
The Government has stated that it is seized of the issue and it is still under consideration. However, no definite timeline has been given for its implementation.
Why did UFBU refuse to defer the strike?
UFBU refused to defer the strike because 5 Days Banking was already agreed upon in March 2024 but has been pending with the Government for over two and a half years. Without any definite development or timeline, UFBU could not reconsider the strike call.
What are the other residual issues?
Residual issues include adequate recruitment of clerical and substaff, conversion of NPS to OPS, income tax exemption on 4% extra NPS contribution by Banks, increase in Gratuity ceiling, updation of pension, uniform DA on pension, revision in Ex-gratia, filling up of Workman and Officer Director posts, introduction of Leave Bank, and Medical Insurance premium for retirees to be borne by Banks.
Who called for the strike?
The strike has been called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), which represents all bank unions.
What meetings were held before the strike call?
A conciliation meeting was held on 8th September 2026 by the Dy. Chief Labour Commissioner, and another conciliation meeting was held on 9th September 2026 chaired by the Chief Labour Commissioner. An online meeting was also called by DFS on 9th September 2026. However, no concrete outcome was reached.
What is the UFBU's message to its members?
UFBU has called upon all its unions and members to go ahead and implement the strike on 11th September 2026, stating that the demand is justified and the strike call is justified. It has urged members to fortify unity and make the strike a total success.
Who signed the circular?
The circular has been signed by C.H. Venkatachalam, General Secretary, United Forum of Bank Unions.
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