All India Bank Employees Association

The All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA) is the oldest and one of the largest national trade unions representing bank employees in India. Founded on 20 April 1946 in Kolkata, it has a pan-India presence and is the sole signatory in all bipartite settlements within the banking sector. Its membership spans across public sector, private, foreign, cooperative, and regional rural banks. AIBEA has played a significant role in shaping wage structures, working conditions, and policy advocacy for bank employees.Its leading office-bearers include Rajen Nagar as President and C. H. Venkatachalam as General Secretary.^[1]

All India Bank Employees Association

All India Bank Employees Association
Founded	20 April 1946
Headquarters	"Prabhat Nivas", Singapore Plaza, 164 Linghi Chetty Street, Chennai, India
Location	India
Region served	Nationwide
Key people	Rajen Nagar (President); C. H. Venkatachalam (General Secretary)
Affiliations	Independent
Website	aibea.in

History

AIBEA was established during a period of growing labour mobilisation in pre-Independence India, formally founded on 20 April 1946 in Kolkata. "All India Bank Employees Association". AIBEA swiftly became a major voice for bank employees across the country.

In the early decades post-Independence, the union led its first all-India strike on 23 September 1954, demanding improved wages and service conditions. "AIBEA Achievements – 1st All India Strike, 23 September 1954". During the nationalisation of banks in 1969–70, AIBEA was instrumental in negotiating staff safety, career prospects, and working conditions through the newly established bipartite settlement mechanisms. "About AIBEA". The union continued to play a stabilising role through liberalisation and sector reforms in the 1990s and 2000s by engaging in wage negotiations and opposing excessive privatisation.

Membership and structure

AIBEA's membership base comprises employees across public sector banks, older private banks, newer private banks, foreign banks, cooperative banks, and regional rural banks. While exact figures vary, AIBEA is commonly cited as the largest bank-employee union in India. "All India Bank Employees Association". It remains the only union entity that has been a signatory in all bipartite settlements. "About AIBEA".

Its organisational structure includes national leadership from Chennai, state-level affiliates, and bank-specific committees. The union convenes national conferences and includes specialised forums such as women’s and youth conferences. Publications, training workshops, and regular bulletins are part of its member outreach, although detailed names and circulation figures are not available in independent sources.

Activities

AIBEA has been an active participant in collective bargaining through bipartite settlements with Indian Banks' Association, covering wages, dearness allowance, pensions, working hours, and service conditions. It has campaigned for a five-day work week, resisted outsourcing and privatisation, and advocated for financial inclusion. "AIBEA role and campaigns". It also conducts training and educational initiatives for members and occasionally spearheads social or welfare-oriented activities.

In July 2025, AIBEA jointly participated in a nationwide strike—alongside AIBOA, BEFI, and other unions—mobilising over 40,000 bank employees across Madhya Pradesh to protest government policies perceived as favouring privatisation, extended work hours, and labour deregulation. The strike disrupted banking operations involving transactions estimated at over ₹12 lakh crore. "Over 40K MP bank employees join nationwide strike, banking ops hit".

Impact

AIBEA’s consistent presence in bipartite negotiations has contributed to establishing standard wage structures, dearness allowances, and job security mechanisms across India's banking sector. Its influence is recognised in scholarly discussions as a stabilising force in bank labour relations, particularly during waves of reforms. "Changing Employment Relations in Banking: The Emerging Role of Management". Indian Journal of Industrial Relations.

Leadership

AIBEA's leadership has included several notable office bearers:

• **C. H. Venkatachalam** – General Secretary "All India Bank Employees Association".
• **Rajen Nagar** – President ) "All India Bank Employees Association".

See also

• United Forum of Bank Unions
• Bank Employees Federation of India
• All India Bank Officers' Confederation
• Nationalisation of banks in India
• Trade unions in India
• Banking in India