Indefinite strike from October 26: Chalks out series of agitational programmes
KARIMNAGAR, SEPTEMBER 15, 2026: Bank employees of the Nationalised and Cooperative and Regional Rural banks have decided to go on three strike from September 28 to 30, 2026, if their demands of five-day working week were not met by then.
The three-day consecutive nationwide strike, notably, aligns with the crucial half-yearly bank closing period, which could significantly impact clearance and financial reporting. Similarly, the bank employees under the banner of United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) has also threatened to go on an indefinite strike if their demands were not fulfilled.
The UFBU represents over 90% of the public banking workforce and includes seven major unions:
- All India Bank Employees’ Association (AIBEA)
- All India Bank Officers’ Confederation (AIBOC)
- National Confederation of Bank Employees (NCBE)
- All India Bank Officers’ Association (AIBOA)
- Bank Employees Federation of India (BEFI)
- Indian National Bank Officers Congress (INBOC)
- Indian National Bank Employees Federation (INBEF) [1]
The bankers observed a one-day strike on September 11 demanding implementation of five-day banking week, which was a grand success. However, the government had not responded to their demands. Irked over this, the bankers have decided to go on a three-day strike from September 28 to 30, 2026, and accordingly chalked out an agitational action plan.
The bank unions have decided to participate in agitational demands to exert pressure on the government to announce a five-day banking week. The bank employees have decided to work as per rules and procedures and withdraw all extra cooperation from September 15 to 30. They would adhere to regular working hours and no work before or beyond scheduled hours. They will not participate in official meetings during non-office hours and will exit from the official WhatsApp groups.
They would also participate in dharnas in the state capitals, as decided by each state, and a massive dharna at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on September 18. They would launch a social media campaign on September 20 and attend to their duties by wearing black badges.
Similarly, there would be demonstrations in all districts on September 24 and issuance of press releases in state capitals. On September 26 and 27 preparatory and mobilisation meetings. All India strike on September 28, 29 and 30.
If the government further delays in fulfilling their demands, the bankers would go on an indefinite strike from October 26. As part of the indefinite strike, the bankers will hold demonstrations in all centres on October 7, a Twitter/X campaign on October 10, demonstrations in all centres on October 22 and preparatory meetings and campaigns on October 24 and 25 for the indefinite strike from October 26.
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