Pune Bank Strike: Services May Be Hit From September 28–30; Banks to Open on Sunday, September 27

Pune bank customers may face branch-service disruption from September 28–30. Banks will open on Sunday, September 27, ahead of the nationwide strike.

Pune, September 23, 2026: Bank customers in Pune should plan important branch-related transactions in advance as the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) is set to proceed with a three-day nationwide bank strike from September 28 to 30.

The strike follows unsuccessful conciliation talks between the unions, the Department of Financial Services (DFS), the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) and bank management representatives. The main unresolved demand is implementation of a five-day working week for banks.

The timing had raised concerns about a possible five-day disruption because September 26 is the fourth Saturday and September 27 is Sunday. However, the government has now announced a significant measure to reduce the impact: banks will remain open on Sunday, September 27, ahead of the strike.

Bank Services From September 27 to 30

The latest schedule means customers can use Sunday, September 27 to complete urgent branch-related work before the strike begins on September 28.

Branch operations could be affected from September 28 to 30 depending on employee participation. Services requiring staff assistance, physical documentation and certain cheque-related processes may face delays.

Digital banking services such as UPI, mobile banking and internet banking, along with ATMs and other self-service facilities, are expected to continue operating, although availability can vary by bank and location. SBI and other banks have advised customers to complete important branch work ahead of the strike.

Why Are Bank Employees Going on Strike?

UFBU’s principal unresolved demand is implementation of a five-day banking week.

The unions maintain that the five-day working arrangement was agreed upon as part of the wage-revision settlement signed in March 2024 but has not yet been implemented. The government has said the matter remains under consideration.

The government has also said that the Performance Linked Incentive (PLI) issue, which was another major union demand, has been kept in abeyance. The remaining dispute is primarily centred on the five-day workweek.

September 30 Is Also Half-Yearly Closing

The strike coincides with September 30, the half-yearly closing date for banks. The date is important for reconciliation, provisioning, treasury and market-related operations, making advance planning particularly relevant for businesses and customers with time-sensitive banking work.

What Pune Customers Should Do

Customers who require branch-based services should consider completing their work before September 28, with September 27 now providing an additional opportunity to access bank branches.

For routine transactions, customers can use:

• UPI
• Mobile banking
• Internet banking
• ATMs
• Automated deposit/withdrawal machines
• Customer Service Points, where available

The extent of disruption will depend on employee participation and individual bank arrangements. Private-sector banks may also have different operating arrangements from public-sector banks.

If the five-day banking issue remains unresolved, UFBU has also proposed an indefinite strike from October 26, 2026.

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