The All India State Bank of India Staff Federation (AISBISF) has issued a notice for a two-day nationwide strike on May 25 and 26, 2026. This industrial action is poised to cause significant disruptions to State Bank of India (SBI) operations, particularly as it falls amidst a series of holidays, potentially affecting services for five consecutive days.
Why the Strike? Key Demands from AISBISF
The AISBISF has outlined several core demands prompting the protest. A primary concern is the outsourcing of permanent jobs, which the federation argues poses risks such as data leaks, misuse, fraud, and identity theft. They warn that such practices could erode customer trust and expose the bank to severe reputational and legal consequences.
Other crucial demands include:
- Recruitment of essential staff, specifically messengers and Armed Guards.
- A change in the Pension Fund Manager option available to employees under the National Pension System (NPS).
- The appointment of a Workmen's Employee Director to the bank's board. The union asserts that this right, despite provisions for appointment from a representative union's panel, has been consistently overlooked, denying workmen crucial representation at the highest decision-making level.
Anticipated Impact on Services
Customers should prepare for potential service interruptions from May 23 to May 27, 2026. The schedule includes:
- May 23: Fourth Saturday (Bank Holiday)
- May 24: Weekly Holiday (Sunday)
- May 25 & 26: Nationwide SBI Staff Strike
- May 27: Eid-UI-Adha (Bakri-Eid)/Id-ul-Zuha (across most states)
In response to the impending strike, SBI has advised customers to utilize alternative banking channels for their needs. These include ATMs and ADWMs for cash, Customer Service Points (CSPs), and digital platforms such as Internet Banking, YONO, Mobile Banking, and UPI.
Conciliation Efforts Underway
In an effort to avert the strike, the Office of the Chief Labour Commissioner is scheduled to hold a conciliation meeting on May 23. This meeting will bring together representatives from the AISBISF union and SBI management in an attempt to find common ground and resolve the outstanding issues before the planned industrial action commences.