SBI Employee Strike in May 2026: Employees Call 2-Day Strike on May 25 and 26, Know Their Demands
SBI employees have announced a two-day nationwide strike on May 25-26, led by AISBISF, over staffing shortages, outsourcing of permanent jobs, pension issues under NPS, and pay parity concerns. The union has raised 16 demands, including recruitment of messengers and armed guards, improved working conditions, and policy changes affecting employeesâ rights and job security.
Employees of State Bank of India (SBI), the countryâs largest public sector lender, have announced a two-day nationwide strike on May 25 and 26, 2026, citing unresolved grievances related to staffing, pensions, and working conditions. The strike, called by the All India State Bank of India Staff Federation, will involve employees in the workmen category and may extend to May 27 if either day coincides with a holiday.
In a notice dated May 2 addressed to the SBI Chairman, the federation said the strike would be held under provisions of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. The move follows what the union described as the non-implementation of agreements and a steady erosion of workersâ rights within the bank. Big Change in Digital Payments Likely: RBI Considers Delayed Credit Rule to Prevent High-Value Transaction Frauds.
SBI Employee Strike in May 2026
2-Day Nationwide Strike in State Bank of India
The All India State Bank of India Staff Federation calls for a 2-day strike on 25th & 26th May 2026 across State Bank of India.
This decisive action is to defend employeesâ rights, ensure fair working conditions, and protect the⌠pic.twitter.com/SloVML9wz6
â National Confederation of Bank Employees (@ncbeofficial) May 2, 2026
Why SBI Employees Are Striking: Check Their Demands
The federation has outlined 16 demands, highlighting concerns over recruitment, outsourcing, pension benefits, and internal parity. Among the primary issues are the recruitment of messengers and armed guards, adequate staffing across branches, and a halt to outsourcing of permanent roles.
The AISBISF also raised concerns about pension-related matters under the National Pension System (NPS), including the lack of an option for employees to change their pension fund manager. It further flagged the absence of inter-circle transfer opportunities for employees recruited after 2019. India Posts Payment Banks Launches Zero-Balance SHG Savings Account With INR 2 Lakh Limit.
âThe rights of workmen are being systematically crushed. Hard-earned protections⌠are being diluted, bypassed, and ignored,â the federation said in its communication.
Staffing and Security Concerns
The union has pointed to a long-standing halt in the recruitment of messengers, stating that the cadre has effectively disappeared over the past three decades. According to the federation, this has reduced employment opportunities for economically weaker sections and disrupted workforce progression.
It also raised concerns about the lack of armed guards at branches, referencing a recent robbery at an SBI branch in Surat. The federation said such incidents underscore the need for improved security staffing.
Pay Parity and Career Progression
Another major issue is pay disparity within the bank. The federation noted that while industry-wide agreements ensured a 17% increase for both workmen and supervisory staff, additional benefits for officers have effectively raised their increase to around 22%, leaving workmen at a disadvantage.
Other demands include improvements in medical reimbursement schemes, resolution of HRMS-related issues, appointment of employee representatives in governance roles, and revisions to career progression policies.
Planned Protests Ahead of Strike
In the lead-up to the strike, the federation has announced a series of nationwide protests and awareness campaigns. These include lunchtime demonstrations, social media outreach, press meets, and sit-in programmes at various administrative offices.
Memorandums are also set to be submitted to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on May 19 and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 21.
The strike comes amid ongoing tensions in the banking sector over staffing shortages, digitisation, and employment practices. Trade unions have increasingly raised concerns about outsourcing and contractual hiring, arguing that such practices affect job security and service quality.
If carried out at scale, the strike could impact banking operations across the country, particularly in public sector branches, affecting routine services for customers.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 06, 2026 04:06 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
