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Bank Strike Jan 27: SBI, PNB Services Hit, ATMs May Run Dry

Banking operations at public sector banks across India face disruption on January 27 due to a nationwide strike called by the United Forum of Bank Unions. The strike demands the implementation of a five-day work week, declaring all Saturdays as holidays. While private banks and digital services like UPI are expected to function normally, customers of SBI, PNB, and Bank of Baroda may face issues with cash transactions and cheque clearances. The strike compounds inconvenience as it follows the Republic Day holiday weekend.

Key Points: Nationwide Bank Strike Jan 27: SBI, PNB Services Impact

  • Nationwide strike by public sector bank unions
  • Demand for a five-day work week with all Saturdays off
  • SBI, PNB, BoB branch services to be hit
  • Private banks and digital services expected to run normally
2 min read

Nationwide bank strike on Jan 27: What SBI, PNB, and BoB customers should expect

Public sector bank strike on Jan 27 may disrupt cash, cheque services for SBI, PNB, BoB customers. ATMs could be affected. Digital banking to continue.

"banking work may still be affected because of employee participation in the strike - SBI regulatory filing"

New Delhi, Jan 26

Banking operations at public sector banks across the country are likely to be disrupted on Tuesday as the United Forum of Bank Unions goes ahead with its nationwide strike demanding a five-day work week.

The decision to strike was taken after a conciliation meeting with the Chief Labour Commissioner on January 23 failed to resolve the issue.

The UFBU is a joint platform of nine unions representing officers and employees of public sector banks.

The timing of the strike could cause inconvenience to customers, as banks are already closed on Sunday (January 25) and Monday (January 26), due to Republic Day.

This means many branch-level services may remain unavailable for three consecutive days.

Services such as cash deposits and withdrawals, cheque clearances and other routine administrative work are likely to be affected at public sector banks, including the State Bank of India (SBI), the Punjab National Bank (PNB), and the Bank of Baroda.

However, private sector banks such as the HDFC Bank, the ICICI Bank, and the Axis Bank are expected to function normally, since their employees are not part of the unions participating in the strike.

Digital banking services like UPI payments and internet banking are expected to continue without major issues.

Still, there could be some local disruptions in ATM cash availability due to operational challenges.

Several public sector banks have already informed stock exchanges about the possible impact of the strike.

In a regulatory filing, the SBI said that while arrangements have been made to maintain normal operations, banking work may still be affected because of employee participation in the strike.

The main demand of the unions is the declaration of all Saturdays as holidays.

This proposal was included in the 12th Bipartite Settlement signed with the Indian Banks' Association in March 2024, but it has yet to receive formal notification from the government.

At present, banks remain open on the first, third, and fifth Saturdays of every month.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
I fully support the bank employees' demand for a five-day week. They work under tremendous pressure. If the 12th Bipartite Settlement already included it, the government should issue the notification. A better work-life balance for them is important.
V
Vikram M
Thank God for UPI and internet banking. At least our daily payments won't stop. But for senior citizens like my parents who depend on branch visits for pensions and cash, this is a real problem. They don't trust ATMs much. Authorities should think about them.
A
Aman W
While I understand the strike is for a genuine demand, causing a 3-day closure right after a national holiday feels like holding customers hostage. Couldn't they choose a different date? This disrupts business cash flow significantly.
P
Priya S
This highlights why we need to move faster towards digital banking. Private banks are functioning normally. Maybe this will push more people to open accounts there or use digital services of public banks more actively. Jai Digital India! 💻
K
Karthik V
A five-day week is a reasonable demand in today's time. Most corporate offices have it. Bank employees also deserve weekends with family. The strike is a last resort after talks failed. Hope a solution is found soon for everyone's sake.

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