Indian bank unions defer nationwide strike after talks with employers

India’s United Forum of Bank Unions deferred a planned three-day nationwide strike after saying it had reached an understanding with the Indian Banks’ Association on key demands. The strike had been scheduled to begin on Sunday, September 27, 2026. Its postponement means banks were expected to operate on Monday, September 28, according to the report.

The unions and the association agreed to establish a high-level committee to examine the proposal to declare the remaining Saturdays as holidays. The committee is expected to consider possible options, consult stakeholders and work towards a solution that also takes account of customers’ interests. The decision followed a meeting between the IBA and the United Forum of Bank Unions that began at 9:30 p.m., according to a circular cited in the report.

The unions also said discussions could begin on changes to the Performance Linked Incentive scheme for officers in Scale IV and above. They said the aim would be to address their observations and propose modifications to the government. Other issues are also to be discussed.

These include residual matters listed in minutes dated March 8, 2024, which the two sides agreed should be addressed promptly. In light of the understandings, the union forum said it would defer the proposed protest programmes and strike actions. The supplied material did not state whether a final agreement had been reached on the five-day work week or give a new date for industrial action.