Banking Operations May Be Hit On March 24-25 Due To Nationwide Union Strike

The United Forum of Bank Unions or UFBU, has called for a nationwide two-day strike on March 24 and 25, pressing for improved recruitment across all cadres and the implementation of a five-day workweek in the banking sector, among others.

Despite discussions with the Indian Banks' Association or IBA, UFBU stated that the strike would proceed as planned, as negotiations over their key demands failed to yield a positive outcome.

The umbrella body, comprising nine major bank unions, announced the strike on March 13, citing unsuccessful talks with the IBA. Among its member unions are the All India Bank Employees Association, All India Bank Officers’ Confederation, National Confederation of Bank Employees, and All India Bank Officers’ Association.

As per the post on its X profile, the key demands of the forum are as follows:

• Adequate recruitment in banks

• Implementation of a 5-day banking week

• Resolution of pending issues

• Stop outsourcing of bank jobs.

• Fulfilment of UFBU’s other demands

In a meeting with the IBA on March 14, all UFBU constituents raised issues, including recruitment in all cadres and a five-day workweek. Still, the key issues remained unresolved, National Confederation of Bank Employees General Secretary L. Chandrasekhar told PTI.