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Bank Strike Disrupts Branch Services Over Five-Day Week Demand
Bank employees are holding a strike on September 11, 2026.
The unions want banks to close every Saturday as part of a five-day working week.
They say an agreement for this was reached in March 2024, but it has not yet been approved.
The unions also disagree with how performance bonuses are decided.
Because some workers may not be at work, many branch services could be slower or unavailable.
These include depositing or withdrawing cash, updating passbooks and handling cheques.
Locker visits, KYC work, pension documents and some loan services may also be affected.
Online banking, UPI, mobile banking and ATMs are expected to keep working.
Another three-day strike is planned for September 28 to 30, 2026.
Bank unions are striking on September 11, 2026, mainly affecting physical branch operations.
The United Forum of Bank Unions is demanding implementation of a five-day banking week agreed in March 2024.
Unions oppose the Department of Financial Services’ performance-linked incentive structure, calling it unilateral and discriminatory.
Cash services, cheque work, locker access, KYC services, pension paperwork and some loan activities may face delays.
UPI, mobile banking, internet banking and ATM services are expected to remain available, though ATM cash may vary.
- Who
- The United Forum of Bank Unions, representing nine bank employees’ and officers’ unions, is organizing the action.
- What
- A bank strike affecting branch operations and some back-office and clearing-related work.
- Where
- Bank branches in parts of the country, with the later action planned nationwide.
- When
- September 11, 2026; another nationwide strike is scheduled for September 28–30, 2026.
- Why
- Unions are demanding a five-day banking week, opposing the performance-linked incentive structure, and raising pension-related issues.
Bank Unions
Government Policy Position
Five-day banking week
Bank Unions
Unions say a March 2024 agreement provided for all Saturdays to become holidays and argue that the proposal should be implemented after Finance Ministry approval.
Government Policy Position
The proposal remains pending with the Finance Ministry and has not been implemented.
Performance-linked incentives
Bank Unions
Unions call the Department of Financial Services’ structure unilateral and discriminatory. They want incentives linked to each bank’s overall performance under a uniform framework for employees and officers through Scale VII.
Government Policy Position
The Department of Financial Services has prescribed a performance-linked incentive structure with differing incentives among employee groups, including officers in Scale IV and above.
Impact on customers
Bank Unions
Unions’ participation in the strike is expected to disrupt branch, back-office and clearing-related work.
Government Policy Position
Digital channels such as UPI, mobile banking, internet banking and ATMs are expected to continue operating, although cash availability and technical conditions may affect access.
Key facts
- Strike date
- September 11, 2026
- Organizing body
- United Forum of Bank Unions
- Main demand
- A five-day banking week with all Saturdays as holidays
- Prior agreement
- Unions say an agreement was reached in March 2024, with employees accepting an additional 40 minutes of work from Monday to Friday
- Disputed policy
- The performance-linked incentive structure prescribed by the Department of Financial Services
- Potentially affected services
- Cash deposits and withdrawals, passbook updates, cheque work, locker access, KYC services, pension documentation and some loan-related activities
- Expected available services
- UPI, mobile banking, internet banking and ATM services, subject to technical issues and cash availability
- Next planned action
- A three-day nationwide strike from September 28 to September 30, 2026
Sources
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