A three-day nationwide bank strike planned from 28 to 30 September has raised concerns about disruption to customer services and branch operations. The strike, called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), comes just after the weekend holidays on 26 and 27 September, which means banking services could be limited for five consecutive days. The timing also coincides with the sector’s half year closing, adding to the impact.
United Forum of Bank Unions, representing nearly 90 per cent of officers and employees across public-sector banks, is pressing for several demands. These include the introduction of a five day banking week, improvements to pension schemes, a uniform dearness allowance formula for all pensioners, and an option for employees under the National Pension System to switch to the old pension scheme. The unions had already staged a nationwide strike on 11 September over the same issues.
In response, the Finance Ministry had scheduled a meeting on 21 September with the chief executives of public-sector banks and regional rural banks. The meeting, chaired by the Department of Financial Services Secretary, will focus on contingency measures to ensure continuity of essential services during the strike. Banks have been asked to prepare advisories and ensure customers can access basic facilities.
Major banks, including State Bank of India and Union Bank of India, have already issued notices urging customers to complete branch dependent tasks before the strike. While ATMs, cash deposit and withdrawal machines, mobile banking, net banking, and UPI services will remain available, services requiring physical documents or staff assistance may face delays.
The government has urged employees to reconsider the strike, stating that the “remaining demands” are under examination. The outcome of the meeting will determine how banking services are managed during the planned disruption.