Bank Unions’ Nationwide Strike Shuts Public Sector Branches, Disrupts Services for Three Days

Public sector banks across India remain shut on Tuesday after employee unions launched a nationwide Bank strike seeking a five-day workweek, extending a long weekend into a three-day disruption of branch services.

Operations at government-owned banks were suspended as the United Forum of Bank Unions, or UFBU, pressed authorities to implement an agreement reached last year to make all Saturdays holidays. The strike follows closures on Sunday and Republic Day on Monday, intensifying the impact on customers.

Unions Press for Five-Day Workweek

The UFBU is an umbrella body of nine unions representing bank officers and employees. It says the strike is aimed at securing implementation of a wage revision agreement signed in March 2024 with the Indian Banks’ Association, or IBA, that included a commitment to a five-day workweek.

Currently, public sector banks operate on the first, third and fifth Saturdays of each month and remain closed on the second and fourth Saturdays, in addition to Sundays. Union leaders argue that moving to a full five-day schedule would not reduce productivity.

“There would be no loss of man-hours as we have agreed to work an extra forty minutes daily from Monday to Friday,” Rupam Roy, general secretary of the All India Bank Officers’ Confederation, told the Economic Times.

The UFBU served a strike notice to the IBA, the chief labour commissioner and the Department of Financial Services under provisions of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. Conciliation meetings were held last week, but unions said the talks failed to yield assurances.

“Despite detailed discussions during the conciliation proceedings, there was no assurance on our demand. Hence, we have been compelled to proceed with the strike action,” C. H. Venkatachalam, general secretary of the All India Bank Employees Association, told PTI.

Services Hit at Public Sector Banks

The Nationwide bank strike affects major government-owned lenders, including State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda and Punjab National Bank, along with other public sector banks. Routine branch services such as cash deposits and withdrawals, KYC updates, cheque clearances, doorstep banking and administrative work are expected to be disrupted.

Customers, however, can still access several digital and self-service channels. Automated teller machines and automated deposit-cum-withdrawal machines are expected to function, and UPI, mobile banking apps and internet banking services remain operational.

Private sector banks, including HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank and Kotak Mahindra Bank, are not expected to be affected, as they are not part of the strike. Institutions such as the Reserve Bank of India, Life Insurance Corp. of India, stock exchanges and most government offices already follow a five-day workweek.

Union leaders stressed that the action is not intended to inconvenience customers but to improve long-term efficiency in the banking system.

“This movement is not against customers, but for a sustainable, humane and efficient banking system,” L. Chandrasekhar, general secretary of the National Confederation of Bank Employees, told the Times of India. “A rested banker serves the nation better.”

Talks Stall as Nationwide Bank Strike Continues

The UFBU has also used social media to amplify its demands, calling a five-day workweek a long-pending reform essential for employee well-being and financial stability. In a post on X, the forum said the commitment to the change was already on record and must be implemented.

Government officials have not publicly announced fresh talks since the conciliation meetings ended without a breakthrough. With the strike underway, customers have been advised to rely on digital channels and plan branch visits after services resume.

The unions have not indicated whether the action will be extended beyond Tuesday, but they said pressure will continue until a clear assurance is given on implementing the five-day workweek.