Banks Nationwide Strike Alert: Why Will SBI Bank Branches Be Disrupted For 4 Days From May 23 To May 27

The All India State Bank of India Staff Federation (AISBISF) has declared a nationwide strike for two days, starting from May 25 to May 26. But the largest PSU banking services provider, State Bank of India (SBI) could face disruption for a span of four days at its branches across India. Hence, SBI customers are guided to take precautions and plan their financial transactions accordingly.

Banks Strike Dates:

The SBI staff union has declared the nationwide strike with a demand that the bank addresses long-pending issues. In its circular, AISBISF said, "For years, we have exercised restraint. For years, we have trusted dialogue. For years, we have placed faith in negotiations. But today, that patience stands exhausted."

In a notice sent to SBI chairman on May 2, the union threatened to go on strike under the provisions of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. The federation has also warned about extending the strike to May 27, if there is any public holidays overlaps. For now, the nationwide strike is called on May 25 and May 26.

"When dialogue fails, when appeals are ignored, and when justice is denied, history has shown that agitation and strike become the path to progress. We therefore call upon all affiliates and members to participate in the two-day All India Strike on 25th and 26th May, 2026," AISBISF said.

Banks Union Demand:

The bank's union has submitted 16 demands. AISBISF said, "The rights of workmen are being systematically crushed." Hard-earned protections, won through decades of struggle, are being diluted, bypassed, and ignored. Agreements are reduced to mere formalities, and voices of dissent are being sidelined."

According to AISBISF, despite repeated negotiations, countless representations, and sincere, responsible efforts by the All India State Bank of India Staff Federation, the management has chosen a path of indifference.

"Our voices have been heard, but not heeded. Our concerns have been acknowledged, but not addressed. What is unfolding before us is not merely administrative neglect, it is a systematic disregard for the workforce that forms the backbone of this great institution," it said.

In AISBISF's opinion, the policies that are being aggressively pursued by the management are not only anti-employee, but they also strike at the very foundation of public sector banking. They undermine job security, erode dignity in the workplace, and compromise the broader social responsibility that public sector banks are meant to uphold.

Hence, here are the 16 demands of the union:

1. Recruitment of Messengers
2. Recruitment of Armed Guards
3. Change of Pension Fund Manager option to NPS Employees
4. Inter Circle Transfers to employees joined from 2019 onwards
5. Stop Outsourcing of Permanent Jobs
6. Recruitment of Adequate Staff
7. Parity Issue in State Bank of India
8. Review of Career Progression Scheme
9. Notional 8th Stagnation Increment to 10th Bipartite Retirees
10. Physician Consultation Charges w.e.f 15.07.2024
11. Improvement in Medical Reimbursement Scheme
12. Add all pay components to the pension of 7th BPS retirees since retirement
13. Resolve HRMS issues
14. Appointment of Workmen Employee Director
15. Appointment of PF Trustee Nominee
16. Stop Mis-selling in the name of Cross-Selling

SBI Bank Holidays:

One of the reasons to why SBI branches services is likely to be disrupted for four days in the week leading to the strike is due to fourth Saturday and Sunday. Prior to May 25th and May 26th strike, all banks in India will be closed on May 23rd due to fourth Saturday and May 24th being a Sunday holiday. If the strike stretches to May 27th, then the impact to branch services could be for five days.

Banks follow a unique pattern on weekend holiday. While the first and third Saturdays of a month, is a working day for banks. They are closed on second and fourth Saturdays of the month. If there is a fifth Saturday in a month, then that would be a working day as well.

Since September 2015, RBI has directed that all scheduled and non-scheduled banks - public, private, foreign, cooperative, regional rural and local area banks - will observe public holiday on second and fourth Saturdays.

Accordingly, payment systems will not be operated on second and fourth Saturdays but would operate for full day on working Saturdays. Payment systems typically includes Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS), National Electronic Fund Transfer (NEFT), Cheque Clearing operated by various Bankers' Clearing Houses in the country including the grid based Cheque Truncation System (CTS) and ECS suite [Electronic Clearing Service (ECS), Regional Electronic Clearing Service (RECS) and National Electronic Clearing Service (NECS)].

Notably, SBI has currently made no statement regarding the upcoming union strike and its impact.