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Public Sector Bank Strike Tuesday: 5-Day Week Demand Hits Services

Public sector banking operations face disruption due to a nationwide strike called by employee unions demanding a five-day work week. Services like cash deposits, withdrawals, and cheque clearances at banks including SBI, PNB, and Bank of Baroda are likely to be affected. Private sector banks such as HDFC, ICICI, and Axis Bank will function normally as their employees are not part of the strike. The strike follows a failed conciliation meeting, though digital banking services are expected to continue with minimal issues.

Key Points: Nationwide Bank Strike Tuesday: Services Disrupted

  • Nationwide strike by bank unions
  • Demand for five-day work week
  • Public sector banks affected
  • Private banks operate normally
  • Digital services largely uninterrupted
2 min read

Public sector banking operations likely to be disrupted on Tuesday amid strike

Public sector bank strike on Tuesday disrupts services over 5-day work week demand. SBI, PNB affected; private banks, digital services normal.

"work in the Bank may be impacted by the Strike - State Bank of India"

New Delhi, Jan 27

Public sector banking operations are likely to be disrupted on Tuesday as bank employee unions called for a nationwide strike, demanding a five-day work week. Private banks, however, will not be affected by the day-long strike.

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

The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) went ahead with its nationwide strike. The UFBU is a joint platform of nine unions representing officers and employees of public sector banks.

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

Meanwhile, 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.

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.

"In this connection, we advise that while the Bank has made necessary arrangements to ensure normal functioning in its branches and offices on the day of strike, it is likely that work in the Bank may be impacted by the Strike," an official statement from SBI said.

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.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As an NRI, this is frustrating. I have an SBI account for my family in India. A strike disrupts remittances and important transactions. While I understand their demands, there must be a better way than inconveniencing the public.
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Priyanka N
This is why I shifted to a private bank years ago. Better service, fewer disruptions. PSU banks need to modernize their work culture and employee relations. The strike just pushes more customers away.
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Aman W
Thank god for UPI and digital banking! At least our daily payments won't stop. But what about senior citizens who depend on bank branches for pensions and cash? The government should have resolved this earlier.
V
Vikram M
The 12th Bipartite Settlement was signed in March! It's almost February now. Why is there a delay in notification? This lack of clarity from the government is what leads to these strikes. Clear communication is needed.
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Karthik V
Respectfully, while I support workers' rights, a nationwide strike hurts the common man the most. Small businesses, vendors needing cash—all suffer. Can't the unions and IBA find a middle ground without disrupting services?

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