The All India State Bank of India Staff Federation (AISBISF) has called for a strike on May 25 and 26. Since May 23 falls on the fourth Saturday and May 24 is a Sunday, most SBI branches are expected to remain closed for four consecutive days.
The union has said the agitation is aimed at addressing long-pending issues related to staffing, service conditions, recruitment policies, and pension benefits. It has alleged that concerns of workmen-category employees have not been adequately resolved and that several past agreements remain unimplemented.
In a notice submitted to the SBI Chairman on May 2, the federation stated that the strike would be conducted under provisions of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. It also indicated that the protest schedule could be extended to May 27 if any public holiday overlaps with the planned dates.
Demands and key issues
The union has raised 16 demands covering multiple service-related concerns. These include recruitment in support staff roles, improvement in security staffing, and measures to address wage disparities.
Among other demands, the federation has sought better pension-related flexibility under the National Pension System (NPS), revision of career progression frameworks, and inclusion of additional components in pension calculations. It has also flagged issues related to staffing shortages, outsourcing practices, and employee medical benefits.
The federation has further highlighted concerns over the reduction in recruitment for roles such as messengers and armed guards, stating that it has affected employment opportunities in lower-income categories and raised operational security concerns in branches.
Protest programme before strike
Ahead of the strike, the union has outlined a series of protest activities, including demonstrations, social media campaigns, a press interaction, and sit-in programmes between May 5 and May 18. It also plans to submit representations to the Finance Minister on May 19 and the Prime Minister on May 21.
Likely impact on banking services
If the strike takes place, SBI customers may face disruptions in branch-based services, including cash transactions, cheque processing, and in-person banking operations on May 25 and 26.
Digital banking services are expected to remain functional, though some transactions may experience delays due to reduced backend processing.
