Indian bank unions deferred a nationwide three-day strike after late talks with the banks’ association. Branches were expected to follow their ordinary schedules after the decision. A joint committee will examine the unions’ demand for a five-day week. Negotiations on senior officers’ incentives and other unresolved issues will continue. The working week has not yet changed.
India’s United Forum of Bank Unions, an umbrella group of bank-worker unions, deferred its nationwide stoppage scheduled for 28–30 September after talks with the Indian Banks’ Association late on 27 September. The union forum announced the deferral after the late meeting. Banks were expected to operate on their normal Monday schedules. The decision came just before the three-day action was due to begin.[1], [2]
The unions’ main demand is a five-day workweek with the remaining Saturdays made holidays. The bank association and union forum agreed to form a high-level joint committee immediately to examine possible arrangements and consult affected parties, including customers. That agreement starts another negotiation; it does not itself change the working week. They also plan to discuss a performance-linked incentive scheme for senior officers and unresolved matters recorded in March 2024.[1], [2]
Public-sector and regional rural bank branches had opened exceptionally on Sunday to give customers access before the expected stoppage. The fourth Saturday of the month was already a regular bank holiday, and the proposed strike would have overlapped with the half-year closing on 30 September. The late decision changed the immediate service outlook after that precaution had been taken. Customers no longer faced the planned three-day branch interruption; the dispute over Saturday schedules remains before the new committee.[1], [2]
