Banks urge customers to do essential branch-related transactions ahead of 3-day nationwide strike

Public sector banks have advised customers to complete essential branch-related transactions in advance as bank unions prepare for a three-day nationwide strike from September 28 to 30, raising the prospect of significant disruption to physical banking services at the end of the month. The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), which represents around eight lakh employees and officers through seven constituent unions, has decided to proceed with the industrial action after conciliation efforts failed to resolve its demands.

The strike will primarily affect public sector banks and regional rural banks, though some old-generation private banks could also see disruption depending on employee participation. New-generation private banks are expected to function largely normally, while digital channels such as UPI, internet banking and mobile banking are expected to remain operational.

Banks issue customer advisories

State Bank of India, Union Bank of India and other public sector lenders have asked customers to plan important transactions in advance, particularly those requiring a visit to a branch. SBI has said it will make efforts to maintain essential services during the strike but warned that normal operations could be affected depending on employee participation.

Customers requiring cheque-related services, demand drafts, document submissions, KYC-related work, locker access or other staff-assisted transactions could face delays. Those with time-sensitive work have therefore been advised to complete it before the strike begins.

ATMs and automated deposit and withdrawal machines are expected to remain available subject to cash availability and operational conditions. SBI has also announced a waiver of ATM transaction charges during the three-day strike, while customers can continue using YONO, internet banking, mobile banking and UPI for routine transactions.

Banks ordered open on Sunday

The Centre has directed all public sector banks and regional rural banks to remain open Sunday, September 27, in an attempt to prevent prolonged disruption. The Reserve Bank of India has approved the opening of branches, offices, ATM-linked branches and currency chests that day.

September 26 is the fourth Saturday of the month and would ordinarily be a bank holiday, while September 27 falls on a Sunday. With the strike beginning Monday and continuing through Wednesday, customers could otherwise have faced five consecutive days without normal branch operations.

There is, however, some uncertainty over Sunday operations after the All India Bank Officers’ Association asked its members not to report for work on September 27, opposing the decision to turn the scheduled holiday into a working day. The Centre’s directive remains in place, but the extent of branch-level staffing could consequently vary.

Five-day week at heart of dispute

The principal demand behind the strike is the introduction of a five-day working week for bank employees, with all Saturdays declared holidays. Banks currently remain closed on the second and fourth Saturdays of every month, apart from Sundays and notified holidays.

Unions say an agreement on introducing a five-day week was reached with the Indian Banks’ Association as part of the wage settlement signed in March 2024, but the change requires government approval and has yet to be implemented. They argue that banking employees are facing increasing workloads, compliance requirements and staff shortages even as digital banking has substantially changed the nature of their work.

The unions have also raised demands relating to pensions and other service conditions. The government and bank managements have appealed to employees to withdraw the strike and resolve outstanding issues through discussions, but the UFBU has maintained its September 28-30 strike call.

Month-end transactions face pressure

The timing of the strike is particularly significant because it coincides with the end of September and the banking sector’s half-yearly closing. The Centre has already advanced the payment of September salaries and pensions for central government employees and pensioners to September 25 to reduce the possibility of disruption.

Government departments have also been advised to process payments and banking transactions scheduled for the end of September in advance wherever feasible. For ordinary customers, banks have advised maintaining sufficient account balances for scheduled EMIs, SIPs and other automatic debits while completing branch-dependent work early.

The UFBU has also warned of an indefinite nationwide strike from October 26 if its demands remain unresolved. For now, customers face three potentially difficult banking days from Monday, with the biggest impact expected at physical branches while digital payment and banking systems continue to operate.