Overview
- The United Forum of Bank Unions, including AIBOC, issued a Jan. 4 circular calling an all-India bank strike on Jan. 27.
- The action seeks implementation of a five-day banking week that unions say was agreed with the Indian Banks’ Association in the March 2024 wage settlement.
- Unions say staff agreed to add 40 minutes to Monday–Friday shifts to prevent any loss of man-hours if Saturdays become holidays.
- Branch operations, cheque clearing, cash transactions and customer service are expected to face disruptions, while ATMs and online platforms are likely to function with limited impact.
- The timing could extend service interruptions across multiple days because the strike follows scheduled holidays surrounding Republic Day.