Banking services impacted as unions go on nationwide strike to press for 5-day workweek

The umbrella body of seven bank unions, the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), announced a nationwide strike on Friday, September 11, 2026, to press for the immediate adoption of a five‑day workweek and to settle pending wage‑related grievances. The strike was led by the All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA) and targeted public sector banks, while private sector banks largely continued normal operations.

According to union data, roughly 42,000 officers and employees from about 7,000 of Madhya Pradesh’s 8,707 bank branches participated, halting activities at around 7,000 branches and affecting daily transactions estimated at ₹5,500 crore. UFBU, representing about 90% of the banking workforce, also reiterated demands for declaring all Saturdays as holidays—a provision agreed in the 12th Bipartite Settlement with the Indian Banks' Association in March 2024 but still awaiting government notification—along with pension reforms, a uniform dearness allowance formula, and an option for NPS‑covered staff to revert to the Old Pension Scheme.

The strike left cash deposits, withdrawals, cheque clearances and routine administrative work disrupted at most public sector banks, though digital channels such as UPI and internet banking remained functional. The State Bank of India issued an advisory warning customers of possible service delays, reflecting broader concerns that bank employees feel singled out compared to other sectors. The shutdown underscores the growing labor unrest in the banking sector and its potential impact on the economy, especially in states like Madhya Pradesh where the strike’s footprint was most pronounced.