Archive · 24 Sep 2026
Bank Unions Press Three-Day Strike Over Five-Day Week
Bank employees in India plan to stop working for three days from September 28 to 30, 2026.
They want banks to operate five days a week, with every Saturday off.
They say bank workers have heavy workloads and need a better work-life balance.
They also want pensions for older retirees to be updated as living costs and pay scales change.
Some employees covered by a newer pension system want the option to return to the older system.
The unions also oppose a performance-linked incentive scheme.
The government and bank managers say the five-day week is still being discussed.
They have asked employees not to strike because customers and businesses could be affected.
The unions say earlier talks did not resolve their main demand.
The United Forum of Bank Unions will proceed with a nationwide strike from September 28 to 30, 2026.
The unions are demanding a five-day banking week, with all Saturdays as holidays, along with pension updates and other reforms.
The unions also seek a uniform dearness allowance formula, an old-pension option for National Pension System employees, and withdrawal of the performance-linked incentive scheme.
The government and bank managements say the five-day week proposal remains under consideration and requires stakeholder consultations.
The strike, following the September 26-27 weekend, could disrupt banking services for five effective days; an indefinite strike is planned from October 26 if demands remain unresolved.
- Who
- The United Forum of Bank Unions, including unions representing public sector and regional rural bank employees, alongside the government, Indian Banks’ Association and bank managements.
- What
- A three-day nationwide bank strike is planned over demands including a five-day banking week, pension reforms and withdrawal of the performance-linked incentive scheme.
- When
- The strike is scheduled for September 28-30, 2026; an indefinite strike has been announced from October 26 if the demands remain unresolved.
- Where
- The strike concerns banking services across India, while a conciliation meeting was held in New Delhi.
- Why
- The unions say the five-day banking proposal remains unresolved and are also seeking improved pension benefits and other employment-related changes.
Bank unions
Government and bank managements
Five-day banking week
Bank unions
The unions say the demand remains unresolved and are continuing strike action until progress is made.
Government and bank managements
The government and Indian Banks’ Association say the proposal is under consideration and requires consultation with stakeholders.
Strike action
Bank unions
The unions say conciliation talks failed to resolve their main demand and have instructed members to join the September 28-30 strike.
Government and bank managements
The government, Indian Banks’ Association and bank managements have urged employees to postpone or avoid the strike because it could disrupt customers, businesses and employees.
Employee participation
Bank unions
The UFBU alleges that some bank managements are discouraging employees from joining the strike and calls this an unfair labour practice.
Government and bank managements
Public sector banks, including Bank of India, Punjab National Bank and Bank of Baroda, have appealed to employees to maintain uninterrupted customer services.
Effect on customers
Bank unions
Union representatives say digital banking services, ATMs and cash-deposit machines can reduce inconvenience while branches are closed.
Government and bank managements
The Finance Ministry says strikes disrupt banking services and affect customers, businesses and employees.
- Strike dates
- September 28-30, 2026
- Main demand
- A five-day banking week with all Saturdays as holidays
- Pension demand
- Updating pensions for retired employees to reflect revised pay scales and cost-of-living changes
- Other pension requests
- A uniform dearness allowance formula and an option for National Pension System employees to switch to the old pension scheme
- Earlier action
- UFBU unions held a one-day nationwide strike on September 11, 2026
- Government position
- The five-day banking proposal is under consideration but requires consultation with stakeholders
- Potential impact
- The strike following the September 26-27 weekend could produce five effective days of disruption to banking services
- Further action
- An indefinite strike has been announced from October 26 if demands are not addressed
