Industry Odisha Bureau, Sep 20: The Finance Ministry meets bank chiefs on Monday. The United Forum of Bank Unions has called a three-day strike from September 28. Banking services could face disruption.
The Finance Ministry has called a meeting of public sector bank chiefs on Monday. Regional rural bank chiefs will also attend. The talks concern continuity of banking operations. The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) has called a bank strike from September 28. The strike is planned for three days. Banking services could face disruption across five days, if it proceeds.
Finance Ministry Prepares for Bank Strike
The Department of Financial Services (DFS) Secretary will chair the meeting. Chief executives of public sector banks (PSBs) and regional rural banks (RRBs) will take part. A communication sent to banks announced the meeting.
Officials will discuss continuity of banking operations. They will also discuss essential customer services during the strike period. The meeting is expected to consider contingency measures. These aim to minimise disruption. They also aim to keep essential facilities accessible to customers.
No specific measures have been reported as finalised.
Three-Day Strike Could Affect Five Days
The strike is scheduled to begin on September 28. It is planned for three days. The weekend before September 28 is a holiday. That could stretch disruption across five days.
This is not a five-day strike. Banks are not confirmed closed for five days. The strike has also not yet begun.
The timing carries added significance. The proposed strike would coincide with the banking sector’s half-yearly closing.
UFBU Pushes Five-Day Banking Week
UFBU is pressing for a five-day banking week. It has called a nationwide strike to press that demand. The grouping claims to represent 90 per cent of the banking workforce. That figure is UFBU’s own claim. It has not been independently verified.
UFBU bank unions held a nationwide strike on September 11. That action also concerned their demands.
Pension Demands Add to Dispute
The dispute extends beyond working schedules. UFBU also seeks updation and improvement of pensions. It wants a uniform dearness allowance formula for all pensioners.
The grouping also wants an option for some employees. Those covered by the National Pension System (NPS) would be able to switch. They would move to the old pension scheme (OPS).
These are union demands. Reports do not show any of them accepted.
Banks Prepare for Service Continuity
The Finance Ministry’s immediate focus is operational. It is planning for service continuity. It is not negotiating the union demands at this meeting.
Planning differs from confirmed implementation. The reports do not say which services could be affected. They do not describe any arrangements as settled.
Timing Keeps Focus on Essential Operations
The strike is scheduled close to the half-yearly closing. Monday’s meeting will focus on maintaining essential operations. Whether the strike proceeds remains a separate question.
