- Crisis In Indian Banking Leads to Work Pressure and Driving Employees To Despair, Commit Extreme Steps
- Toxic work culture on the rise in banks
- 5DaysBanking: Bankers Urgently Demand 2 Days Off Per Week
- Banks see over 15% growth in new credit card addition: RBI data
- Banks Transfer ₹37,176 Crore to RBI’s Depositor Education and Awareness Fund in Last 3 Years
- Calls for Bankers’ Safety Amplified After Video of SBI Branch Manager Attack Goes Viral
- Nainital Bank Faces Privatisation Move Amid Staff Protests
- Whistleblowers Expose Nexus Operating from Three Banks
- Preserving RRBs: AIRRBEA Defends Rural Banking Against AIBOC-AIBEA Merger Proposals
- Union Bank of India’s new directive for weekend work at Retail Loan Points (RLPs) has sparked outrage among bankers
Utkal Grameen Bank Calls Strike Illegal, Union Counters With Industrial Disputes Act Provisions
Utkal Grameen Bank calls strike illegal; unions assert full legal compliance under the ID Act. Dispute intensifies with unions standing firm on demands.
Author: Saurav Kumar
Published: April 6, 2025
In a recent development, the Utkal Grameen Bank (UGB) management has declared the proposed strike to be held on April 7-8, 2024 by AIRRBEA affiliated unions as illegal. Utkal Grameen Bank Employees Association (UGBEA) and Utkal Grameen Bank Officers Association (UGBOA) have countered the claim, citing strict adherence to the provisions under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947.
Management Declares Strike Illegal, Cites Procedural Lapse
On April 5, 2025, UGB management circulated an internal message to employees, stating: “The said strike is illegal, as the mandatory procedures prescribed under the Industrial Dispute Act 1947 have not been followed.”
The bank maintains that the unions failed to comply with the legal process mandated before initiating a strike, and thus, the action stands in violation of labor laws.
Unions Claim Legal Compliance, Quote Industrial Dispute Rules
In their letter addressed to the chairman, the unions have claimed unfair labour practice is on display. They asserted that due legal process had been followed: “We have submitted our charter of demand on 31.01.2025... and our organisational course of action on 14.03.2025,” the letter stated, referencing Section 71 of the Industrial Dispute (Central Rules) 1957.
The unions pointed to Section 22 of the Industrial Dispute Act 1947, arguing that their notice was served well within the permissible timeframes, and that subsequent procedural lapses were on part of the management.
In the backdrop of the ongoing standoff, the UGBOA was served a show-cause notice and UGBEA was warned by the bank’s management—escalating the conflict further. This move drew sharp criticism from the central leadership of the AIRRBEA, which, along with its 11 affiliated state units, condemned the action, terming it a retaliatory step against legitimate trade union activity.
Unions List Demands, Accuse Bank of Unfair Labour Practice
The unions formally submitted a 21-point Charter of Demands to the Chairman of Utkal Grameen Bank, seeking immediate redressal of critical employee welfare and operational issues. A few demands highlighted through an appeal are as follows:
The face off between Utkal Grameen Bank’s management and unions underscore unresolved concerns raised by unions. The growing unrest within UGB highlights the increasing relevance of the DFS directive on non-compliance by Regional Rural Banks.