Overview
- The strike will run from midnight on January 26 to midnight on January 27 under a notice issued by the United Forum of Bank Unions.
- Branch services at public sector lenders such as SBI, PNB, Bank of Baroda and Bank of India are expected to be disrupted, while major private banks are likely to operate normally.
- The decision comes after conciliation meetings led by the Chief Labour Commissioner with the Indian Banks’ Association and the Finance Ministry ended without a resolution.
- Unions say the five-day week was agreed in the March 2024 wage settlement and awaits government or regulatory clearance, with weekly hours preserved by adding about 40 minutes to each weekday.
- Banks have urged customers to use digital channels and ATMs, cautioning of possible localized cash or cheque-clearing delays and noting the strike follows Sunday and Republic Day closures.