UFBU Calls Nationwide Bank Strike on September 11, Warns of Indefinite Strike – Indian PSU
The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) has called a nationwide bank strike on September 11, 2026, protesting the delay in implementing five-day banking, differences over the Performance Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme and several pending pension-related demands.
If the strike goes ahead, banking services, particularly at public sector banks, could face widespread financial disruption.
Three Strike Calls, Escalating Pressure
The UFBU, an umbrella body of nine bank employees’ and officers’ unions, has announced:
- September 11: One-day nationwide strike
- September 28: Three-day strike, coinciding with half-yearly closure
- October 26: Indefinite strike if demands remain unresolved
September 11 falls on a Friday, followed by the weekend. In some states, September 14 is also a holiday for Ganesh Chaturthi, potentially extending the disruption.
Five-Day Banking Still Pending
The unions said the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) had agreed to five-day banking under the 12th Bipartite Settlement and 9th Joint Note, signed on March 8, 2024.
Under the proposal, working hours from Monday to Friday would increase by 40 minutes. The proposal was subsequently sent to the government but has remained pending for more than two years, the UFBU said.
PLI Scheme Sparks Fresh Dispute
The UFBU has also opposed the government’s PLI scheme for officers in Scale IV and above, saying it differs from the understanding reached with the IBA.
The unions maintain that PLI should be linked to the overall performance of individual banks and follow a uniform structure for employees and officers up to Scale VII.
The dispute is currently under conciliation before the Chief Labour Commissioner and is also pending before the Delhi High Court, according to the unions.
The UFBU has alleged that banks have started crediting PLI under the government-backed scheme despite the ongoing conciliation proceedings.
Pension Demands Also Pending
Other key demands include:
- Updation and improvement of pensions
- A uniform dearness allowance formula for all pensioners
- An option for NPS-covered employees to shift to the Old Pension Scheme (OPS)
The UFBU said the government’s response to these issues has been inadequate, prompting the unions to intensify their agitation.
The September 11 strike could therefore be the first phase of a much larger banking-sector confrontation, with the unions threatening an indefinite strike from October 26 if a settlement is not reached.
