SBI strike deferred: Bank services to continue without interruption on May 25-26 - DETAILS

State Bank of India on Friday announced that the proposed nationwide strike planned for May 25 and 26 has been postponed, bringing relief to customers and ensuring uninterrupted banking operations during the two-day period.

In an advisory issued to customers, the country’s largest public sector bank confirmed that all branches and regular banking services will remain fully operational.

The proposed agitation had been called by the All India State Bank of India Staff Federation over several employee-related concerns, including staff shortages, outsourcing of jobs, pension-related matters and wage-related issues.

According to the union, employees had been raising concerns over pending recruitment, increasing workload on existing staff and the need for stronger employee welfare measures. The federation had also demanded appointments for vacant positions such as messengers and armed guards, while opposing outsourcing in permanent roles.

Among the key demands were more flexibility under the National Pension System (NPS), inter-circle transfer opportunities for employees recruited after 2019, and changes in the promotion and career progression system.

The employee body had also highlighted security concerns at branches due to the shortage of armed guards and claimed that there was an imbalance in salary hikes between officers and workmen despite industry-wide agreements.

Before the strike was deferred, the federation had planned demonstrations, sit-ins and awareness campaigns across the country, along with representations to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

However, after discussions between the bank management and employee representatives, the planned protest has now been put on hold, preventing any disruption to banking services nationwide.