Bank strike postponed, branches will remain open from 28 to 30 September; Agreement reached between IBA and UFBU
Bhopal: There is news of relief for bank customers across the country. The proposed nationwide bank strike from September 28 to 30 has been postponed after late night talks between the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) and the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU).
After the strike is averted, banking services will continue normally across the country. Bank branches will remain open and customers will be able to avail banking facilities as before.
A three-day strike was announced
Bank unions had called for a three-day nationwide strike on September 28, 29 and 30 for their various demands. Banking services were expected to be affected due to this strike.
If there were a strike, work in bank branches could be affected and many services including cash deposits, withdrawals, check clearance etc. could be affected.
However, after the meeting held on Sunday night, the unions decided to postpone the agitation.
Meeting held between IBA and UFBU
A meeting was held between representatives of the Indian Banks Association and the United Forum of Bank Unions at around 9.30 pm on Sunday night to discuss the strike notice and demands of the bank employees.
Issues and demands related to bank employees were discussed in detail in the meeting. After talks, an agreement was reached between the two parties, after which it was decided to withdraw the strike.
There were many demands including a five-day work week
The major demands of the bank unions included the implementation of a five-day working week. Apart from this, demands for pension related benefits and changes in the National Pension System (NPS) were also raised.
The unions said that these issues related to employees have been under discussion for a long time and there is a need to resolve them.
VK Sharma gave information
VK Sharma, coordinator of the United Forum of Bank Unions, Madhya Pradesh, said that after detailed discussions, both the parties have reached an agreement and consensus.
He said that after the consensus was reached, the proposed agitation and three-day bank strike has been postponed.
Big relief to customers
The postponement of the bank strike has brought relief to common customers as well as businessmen. There was a possibility of banking services being affected during the festive season and the last days of the month.
Now normal functioning will continue in bank branches and people will not face any problem in completing their important banking tasks.
Digital banking services will also continue
Even during a bank strike, services like online banking, mobile banking and ATM are likely to be affected to varying degrees.
Now after the strike is postponed, along with digital services, the facilities available in the branches will also continue to function normally.
Hope for solution through further talks
The agitation has been averted for the time being after talks between bank unions and the Indian Banks Association. However, the discussion on the demands of the employees is likely to continue further.
Efforts will be made to resolve the pending issues through dialogue between the union and the bank management.
Banking system will remain normal
After the strike is postponed, customers will no longer have to worry about bank closure. Bank branches across the country will function normally between 28th and 30th September.
The possible impact on banking services has been averted after the agreement reached between the Indian Banks Association and the United Forum of Bank Unions. At present, the bank employee organization and the bank management will decide the way forward through negotiations.