Bank strikes in September to disrupt services across India

Banking services across India are likely to face disruption in September after the UFBU called strikes on September 11 and 28-30. The unions are demanding a five-day working week, withdrawal of the PLI system and resolution of pension-related issues.

Kolkata: Banking services across India are likely to be affected in September as the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), an umbrella body of nine bank employees’ and officers’ associations, has called for a nationwide strike in two separate spells.

The first strike is scheduled for September 11, followed by a three-day strike from September 28 to 30. The protests are expected to significantly disrupt banking operations, particularly in public sector banks.

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The disruption will be more pronounced towards the end of September, with bank branches already scheduled to remain closed on September 26, the fourth Saturday, and September 27, Sunday. The three-day strike on September 28, 29 and 30 will extend the disruption for five consecutive days.

Banking services will also be affected from September 11 to 13, with the one-day strike on September 11 followed by the weekend holidays on September 12 and 13.

The UFBU has also warned of an indefinite strike from October 26 if its demands are not addressed.

According to a statement issued by the UFBU on Monday, the four-day strike has been called primarily to press for the introduction of a five-day working week in the banking sector and withdrawal of the performance-linked incentive (PLI) system.

Under the five-day working week demand, all Saturdays and Sundays would be declared holidays for bank employees. At present, banks generally remain closed on Sundays and the second and fourth Saturdays.

The UFBU has termed the PLI system discriminatory and contrary to the understanding reached between bank employees’ unions and the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA).

The unions have also raised concerns over several unresolved issues related to the next wage revision. These include updating and improving pension benefits, introducing a uniform dearness allowance formula for all pensioners and settling other pending demands.

The UFBU said its meeting on Sunday unanimously decided to launch protest actions to press the demands.

While bank branches will be closed on strike days, ATM and digital banking services may continue to operate depending on the bank and availability of cash and technical services. Customers have therefore been advised to plan essential branch-based transactions accordingly.