The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), comprising seven unions, organised the strike. Its member unions represent roughly 90% of India’s bank staff and officers. Across many cities, public sector bank branches shut or operated with limited staffing, interrupting cash deposits, withdrawals and cheque clearing.

The central demand is to make every Saturday a holiday. Bank employees currently work on Saturdays falling first, third and fifth in a month. The five-day week formed part of the March 2024 wage settlement between unions and the Indian Banks’ Association, but the government notification needed to introduce it remains pending.

AIBEA General Secretary C H Venkatachalam attributed the strike to the government’s failure to accept the demands. Union leaders said employees felt disadvantaged compared with workers in other sectors and argued that a shorter working week would improve the balance between work and personal life.

The unions are also seeking pension revisions, a common Dearness Allowance calculation for pensioners, and an option for employees covered by NPS to return to OPS. Before the strike, SBI and other public sector banks alerted customers to possible disruption despite efforts to maintain branch operations. Automated channels, including UPI and internet banking, continued functioning.