Proposed bank strike deferred after talks between bank body and unions

The proposed three-day nationwide bank strike from September 28 to 30 has been deferred after the Indian Banks' Association (IBA) and the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) reached an understanding during a meeting on Sunday night.The decision was announced by the UFBU in a circular issued on September 27 after a meeting with the IBA at 9.30 pm.What was agreed between IBA and UFBU?According to the UFBU circular, a high-level committee comprising representatives of the IBA and UFBU will be formed immediately to discuss the demand for declaring the remaining Saturdays as holidays.The committee will explore possible alternatives, consult all stakeholders and work towards a solution acceptable to all stakeholders, including customers.The UFBU had been seeking a five-day banking week, one of the key issues behind the proposed strike.