Conciliation meeting ends without a positive response on 5-Day Banking
The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) has decided to proceed with its proposed three-day bank strike on September 28, 29 and 30, 2026, after a conciliation meeting held on September 22 failed to produce a concrete response on the demand for implementation of 5-Day Banking.
The decision was communicated through UFBU Circular No. 26/2026 dated September 22, 2026.
Conciliation meeting held in New Delhi
The Deputy Chief Labour Commissioner (Dy. CLC), Ministry of Labour, Government of India, conducted a conciliation meeting in New Delhi on September 22.
Representatives of UFBU, the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA), the Department of Financial Services (DFS) and bank managements attended the meeting.
During the meeting, UFBU reiterated that there had been no response to its demand for implementation of 5-Day Banking, which the union says was agreed to and signed in March 2024 under the last wage revision settlement.
UFBU therefore stated that it would continue with the proposed strike action.
IBA says 5-Day Banking is under consideration
During the conciliation proceedings, IBA informed the meeting that the PLI scheme for Scale IV officers and above has been kept in abeyance as per Government instructions and that the matter would be discussed further at the Bipartite level.
On 5-Day Banking, IBA stated that the issue is currently under consideration by the Government. It appealed to UFBU to reconsider and defer the strike in the interest of the banking public.
DFS also asks UFBU to defer the strike
Representatives of the Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance, said that the Government has been taking various initiatives for the welfare of bank employees.
According to the UFBU circular, DFS stated that 5-Day Banking is also under consideration and that the Government needs to take into account the views of various stakeholders before taking a decision.
DFS therefore requested UFBU to defer the strike and continue the dialogue.
UFBU raises objections over pressure on employees
UFBU also expressed strong resentment over what it described as measures by managements and other authorities to intimidate, pressure or discourage employees and officers from participating in the strike.
The circular specifically mentions Scale IV and above officers and Probationary Officers and refers to such actions as a possible Unfair Labour Practice under Section 84 of the Industrial Relations Code.
UFBU said that such threats, coercion and pressure would be counterproductive and should be avoided.
Strike to continue unless there is concrete progress
Responding to the appeals from DFS, IBA and bank managements to defer the strike, UFBU stated that it would consider doing so if there is a concrete and positive development towards implementation of 5-Day Banking.
In the absence of such development, UFBU said it would proceed with the proposed strike on September 28, 29 and 30, 2026.
UFBU calls upon unions and members to implement the strike
The circular concludes with a call to all affiliated unions and members to implement the three-day strike on September 28, 29 and 30.
Source: United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), Circular No. 26/2026, dated September 22, 2026.
