Bank Strike From Sept 28-30: SBI, BOB, Canara, Union Bank Issue Advisory; Union Demands 5-Days Working Week

The Finance Ministry is likely to meet both public sector and regional bank representatives on Monday, September 21, 2026, to discuss the continuity of banking operations during a 3-day strike, which will be held by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) bank unions from September 28th to 30th. Major PSU banks like SBI, Bank of Baroda, Canara Bank, and Union Bank of India have issued advisories regarding branch, UPI, internet banking, and ATM services across the country during these strikes.

FinMin To Discuss 3-Days Bank Strike

As per reports, the Department of Financial Services (DFS) Secretary is likely to chair a meeting on September 21, 2026, with chief executives of public sector banks (PSBs) and regional rural banks (RRBs). In the meeting, the 3-day strike and its impact on banking operations will be discussed.

The meeting is focused on arriving at contingency measures to limit or minimize any disruption to banking services during the strikes and ensure that customers are able to access of essential services.

Bank Strike On September 28, September 29, September 30

The upcoming 3-days bank strike will be carried out by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) consisting of seven unions: AIBEA, AIBOC, BEFI, NCBE, AIBOA, INBEF, and INBOC.

UFBU which claims to represent 90% of banking employees force, is leading the strike. The strike earlier took place on September 11, 2026, and will be further extended to September 28th, 29th and 30th. The unions have warned that the strike will be continuous from October 26, 2026.

What Are The Banks Union Demanding?

The union has called for the withdrawal of the government's Performance Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, which they describe as unilateral and discriminatory, its modification through bilateral talks, and resolution of a wider set of residual issues. They also demand improvement in pensions, dearness allowance formula for all pensioners and an option for employees to switch from national pension scheme (NPS) to old pension scheme.

Apart from this, they demand 5-day working week.

Bank Strike: 5-Days Working Week

Prem Makkar, General Secretary, Indian National Bank Officers' Congress (INBOC) said, "Bank officers and employees in India are working under acute pressure, with increasing workloads due to rising business size, staff shortages at all levels, compliance responsibilities and performance targets. Yet, a commitment made two years ago regarding 5 days a week working, remains unimplemented. The unity shown by UFBU reflects the strength of the banking workforce and our determination to secure a fair and sustainable working environment through protest actions and strike calls today and on 28th-30th September and an indefinite strike from 26th October 2026."

As per the UNI Global Union Org report, for bank workers, the dispute reflects years of delay on core demands. The push for a five-day week dates to a 2024 settlement that has yet to be implemented, while unions' objections to the government's incentive scheme trace back to a 2020.

"UNI Asia & Pacific stands firmly in solidarity with India's banking unions as they continue their fight for implementing five-day banking. This is a legitimate demand for decent working conditions, work-life balance and a sustainable banking sector. Workers should not have to take industrial action repeatedly to secure the implementation of an agreement already reached. UNI and our affiliates across our region - and the world - will continue to stand with India's banking workers and their unions as they defend collective bargaining, decent work and the right to a fair working week," said Rajendra Acharya, Regional Secretary, UNI Asia & Pacific.

At present, banks have a unique working week. They work for six days twice a week in a month. Banks only get second Saturday and fourth Saturday as bank holidays, while all Sundays are bank holidays. So they work first and third Saturdays, which is their six-days working week.

Bank Strike: Will Banks Be Closed From September 28-30?

As of now, RBI has not declared any banking holiday from September 28 to September 30th. However, PSU banks have issued advisory related to their operations.

Bank Strike: SBI, Bank of Baroda, Canara Bank, Union Bank Advisory

"In this connection, we advise that while the Bank has made all necessary arrangements to ensure normal functioning of the branches and offices on the days of strike, it is likely that work in the Bank may be impacted by the strike," said SBI.

Meanwhile, Union Bank stated that , the functioning of the Bank's branches and administrative offices across India may be affected. However, the Bank is taking all necessary steps in terms of the existing guidelines to deal with the strike and for smooth functioning of Bank's operations. We also wish to inform that as of now, the Bank is unable to quantify the impact on account of said strike.

Along the similar lines, Bank of Baroda said, "The Bank is taking all the necessary steps for smooth functioning of Bank's branches and offices on the day of strike, in the event the strike materializes, the functioning of the branches and offices may be affected."

Also, Canara Bank added that they are taking all the necessary steps for smooth functioning of Bank's branches and offices on the days of Strike, in the event the strike materializes, the functioning of the branches and offices may be affected.