Kolkata, August 24, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Banking services across India are likely to be affected in September after the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), an umbrella body representing nine bank employees’ and officers’ associations, announced a four-day nationwide strike in two separate phases.
The first strike will be observed on September 11, followed by a three-day strike from September 28 to 30. The action is expected to have a significant impact on banking operations, particularly at public sector bank branches.
The disruption will be especially prolonged towards the end of September. Bank branches are already scheduled to remain closed on September 26, the fourth Saturday, and September 27, Sunday. The strike on September 28, 29 and 30 will therefore result in five consecutive days of disruption to branch operations.
Similarly, banking services are expected to be affected from September 11 to 13, with the strike on September 11 followed by the weekend holidays on September 12 and 13.
In a statement issued on Monday, the UFBU said the strike was primarily aimed at pressing for a five-day working week in the banking sector and withdrawal of the performance-linked incentive (PLI) system.
Under the five-day working week demand, Saturdays and Sundays would be declared holidays for bank employees. At present, bank branches generally remain closed on Sundays and the second and fourth Saturdays.
The unions have described the PLI system as discriminatory and contrary to the understanding reached between bank employees’ unions and the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA).
The UFBU has also raised several unresolved issues concerning the next wage revision, including updating and improving pension benefits, introducing a uniform dearness allowance formula for all pensioners and resolving other pending demands.
According to the UFBU, its meeting on Sunday unanimously decided to initiate the protest programme to press the demands. The unions have warned that failure to address their concerns could lead to an indefinite strike from October 26.
While branches will remain closed on strike days, ATM and digital banking services may continue depending on individual banks, cash availability and technical operations. Customers have been advised to plan essential branch-based transactions accordingly.
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