Patna: Banks across the country are preparing for a three-day nationwide strike from September 28 to 30, but a move intended to reduce its impact has itself triggered opposition from bank officers’ unions.
As a special measure ahead of the strike, the government and the Reserve Bank of India have authorised public sector banks, ATM-linked branches and currency chests to remain open on Sunday, September 27.
The decision has been opposed by the All India Bank Officers’ Association (AIBOA), which has instructed its members not to report for duty on Sunday and has demanded that the RBI withdraw its directive.
‘Sunday Is A Weekly Holiday’
AIBOA National Secretary DN Trivedi said Sunday is a designated weekly holiday in the country and referred to an existing gazette notification in support of the association’s position.
According to the association, the RBI has directed banks to open on Sunday citing “customer interest”.
AIBOA has questioned the decision and maintained that its members should not be required to work on the designated weekly holiday merely because a strike is scheduled for the following three days.
The association has therefore called on its members to stay away from work on September 27.
Strike Scheduled For September 28-30
The Sunday opening order comes ahead of the three-day nationwide bank strike from September 28 to 30, called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU).
The Sunday arrangement is intended to help mitigate the impact of the strike by providing customers with an additional working day immediately before the three-day industrial action.
The move, however, has opened another point of contention between bank management and unions, with AIBOA opposing the use of Sunday as a working day.
RBI Unions Back Strike
The proposed strike has also received support from unions representing employees of the Reserve Bank of India.
The All India Reserve Bank Employees Association and the All India Reserve Bank Workers Federation have extended moral support to the strike called by the UFBU.
The RBI unions have also announced a protest at the main gate of RBI offices during the lunch hour on September 28 as a mark of solidarity with the striking bank employees.
A Dispute Over A Day Of Rest
The Sunday opening has therefore become a separate issue in the run-up to the nationwide strike. While authorities have presented the arrangement as a measure to protect customer interests and limit disruption, AIBOA has opposed the directive on the grounds that Sunday is a designated weekly holiday.
With the strike beginning on Monday, September 28, the dispute over Sunday working adds another layer to an already contentious week for the banking sector.
