In a massive show of strength and solidarity, over 2,000 bank employees gathered in front of the Indian Bank branch at Civil Lines, Nagpur on Friday, as part of a nationwide strike called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU). The UFBU, an umbrella body of seven major constituent unions representing nearly 90 per cent of the workforce across public sector, private, foreign, regional rural, and cooperative banks, launched the strike to press for its unresolved four-point charter of demands. The agitation began with a one-day strike on September 11, 2026, which will be followed by a three-day nationwide strike from September 28 to September 30. Union leaders warned that if the Government fails to address their grievances, bank employees will embark on an indefinite strike starting in October 2026. The demonstration in the city was spearheaded by union leaders, including Com. Jaiwant Gurway, Com. Vrushali Zade, Com. Sujata Lokade, and Com. Ashish Tekade.

 

Demonstrators raised slogans calling for immediate notification of a five-day banking week, withdrawal of Government’s unilateral Performance Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, and the resolution of all residual issues stemming from the 12th Bipartite Settlement. Addressing the mass gathering, Com. Suresh Bobhate, Joint Convener of the UFBU Nagpur Chapter and General Secretary of EMBEA, detailed the background of their demands. He emphasized that an agreement on a five-day work week dates back to May 2015, when the 2nd and 4th Saturdays were declared holidays. “The issue is already fully settled among workers, bank management, the IBA, and the regulator. Only the notification by the Government is pending,” stated Com. Suresh Bobhate. Supporting these views, Com. Dhondse, General Secretary, AIBOC, Bank of India, denounced the Government’s high-handed approach toward PLI, while Com. Mahesh Kharkhate (NCBE) praised the unwavering resolve of bank employees. Leaders from BEFI, INBEF, INBOC, and AIBOA also addressed the crowd, highlighting that five-day work weeks are already standard across the RBI, LIC, GIC, stock exchanges, and financial markets. The UFBU Nagpur Chapter reaffirmed that the planned three-day strike and subsequent indefinite strike will proceed as scheduled until the five-day work week is officially implemented.