Banking services across India could face another major disruption later this month as bank employee and officer unions have announced a three-day nationwide strike from September 28 to September 30, 2026. The proposed strike is part of a wider agitation over the long-pending demand for a five-day banking week and disagreements surrounding the Performance Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme.
The latest announcement comes after bank employees observed a nationwide strike on September 11. The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), which brings together seven major bank unions, has been pressing the government and banking authorities to address their demands.
The main demand of the unions is the implementation of a five-day banking week, with Saturdays and Sundays becoming weekly holidays. Bank unions argue that the proposal has been pending despite an earlier understanding reached through the banking-sector settlement process.
According to reports, the unions have also raised objections to the government’s Performance Linked Incentive scheme and are seeking changes through discussions with employee representatives.
The dispute has become an important issue for bank employees because unions say their demands have not received a satisfactory resolution despite discussions with the authorities.
The proposed three-day strike is scheduled for:September 28, 2026 – Monday,September 29, 2026 – Tuesday,September 30, 2026 – Wednesday.The timing is particularly significant because the strike coincides with the half-yearly closing period for banks, potentially increasing pressure on branch operations and customers who need to complete transactions during the period.
The five-day working week has remained one of the most important demands of bank employee unions.UFBU has argued that the banking sector has undergone significant digitisation, with customers increasingly using mobile banking, internet banking, ATMs and UPI. Unions believe the traditional six-day working structure should therefore be reconsidered.The demand is also linked to work-life balance and working conditions for bank employees.
Another major point of disagreement is the Performance Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme.Bank unions have objected to aspects of the government’s revised PLI arrangements and have called for the matter to be discussed through bilateral negotiations. The issue has added another layer to the ongoing dispute between employee organisations and banking authorities.
The September strike is not the only action announced by the unions.The UFBU has also warned of an indefinite nationwide strike from October 26, 2026, if its demands remain unresolved. This means the dispute could potentially escalate beyond the three-day September action. Upstox – Online Stock and Share Trading +1For customers, the possibility of repeated strikes makes advance planning important, especially for people who need branch-based services, large cash transactions or time-sensitive banking work.
Customers who have important banking work around September 28–30 should consider completing branch-dependent transactions before the proposed strike dates. Online banking, UPI and ATMs can provide alternatives for routine transactions, although service availability can vary between banks.The situation may also change if negotiations between unions, the government and banking management lead to a settlement before the strike.