Joint Forum of Union Bank Unions Prepones Strike: Union Bank to Face Major Disruption on 27 September with Over 95% Workforce Participating

In a significant development, the Joint Forum of Union Bank Unions has pre-poned its nationwide strike, originally scheduled for 30 September, to 27 September 2024. This decision coincides with the strike already called by the All India Union Bank Employees’ Association (AIUBEA) and the All India Union Bank Officers’ Federation (AIUBOF) on the same day. As a result, over 95% of Union Bank’s workforce is expected to stay away from work, leading to a complete shutdown of operations of the bank across the country on 27 September.

Major Unions Unite Against Management

The strike on 27 September comes in response to what the unions describe as the management's "anti-employee attitude" and its refusal to engage in collective negotiations. Both AIUBEA and AIUBOF have raised 20 long-standing issues affecting the workforce, including recruitment shortages, poor working conditions, and HR policy violations. Despite repeated attempts to resolve these matters through dialogue, the management has been unresponsive, leaving the unions with no choice but to escalate their protest.

(The circular from the Joint Forum of Union Bank Unions announcing the rescheduled agitation programme.)  

The Joint Forum of Union Bank Unions, which includes the All India Union Bank Employees Federation (AIUBEF), All India Union Bank Sub-Staff Federation (AIUBSF), Union Bank Staff Association (UBSA), and Union Bank of India Employees Union (UBIEU), had initially planned their strike for 30 September to address similar concerns. However, in a show of solidarity, they preponed their strike to coincide with that of AIUBEA and AIUBOF, making it a united front against the bank’s management.

Unions Highlight Key Demands

According to the circulars issued by the Joint Forum, the unions are demanding "adequate recruitment of clerks through IBPS," the absorption of casual employees as permanent staff, and the cessation of outsourcing practices that violate settlement agreements. The circular further criticises the management's neglect of employee well-being, stating, "The obstinacy and anti-employee attitudes of the management have left us with no choice but to unite in protest."

Management’s Response

In response to these mounting pressures, the management has scheduled a virtual address by the MD of Union Bank on 12 September, urging employees to attend. However, as per the AIUBEA and AIUBOF have advised their members to boycott the address, calling it an attempt to pacify the staff without addressing their core issues.


(The joint circular from AIUBEA-AIUBOF advising their members to boycott the MD’s video conference.)  

Banking Services to Be Disrupted Nationwide

With both the majority unions and the Joint Forum of Union Bank Unions participating in the strike, operations such as customer service, loan processing, and transactions are expected to come to a standstill on 27 September. The union leaders have urged customers to complete their essential banking tasks before the strike to avoid inconvenience, as the strike precedes two consecutive holidays on 28 and 29 September.

According to sources within the unions, further agitation and unrest could follow if the management fails to address the demands.