Bank strike today: Are public sector banks open for customers?

Core Viewpoint - The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) has called for a nationwide strike on January 27 due to the government's failure to address their demand for all Saturdays to be declared holidays, which was agreed upon in the 12th Bipartite Settlement signed in March 2024 [2][5][8] Group 1: Impact on Banking Services - Branch-level services such as cash deposits, withdrawals, cheque clearances, and administrative work at public sector banks like State Bank of India (SBI), Punjab National Bank (PNB), and Bank of Baroda are expected to be disrupted for five consecutive days [2][3][8] - Operations at major private sector banks, including HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, and Axis Bank, are anticipated to remain largely unaffected as their employees are not part of the striking unions [4][8] - Digital banking services, including UPI, mobile, and internet banking, will continue to function, although ATM cash availability may face localized issues due to logistical delays [4][8] Group 2: Union Demands and Statements - The unions are advocating for a five-day work week, emphasizing that this change is essential for a sustainable and efficient banking system, and that they are willing to work an extra 40 minutes daily from Monday to Friday to accommodate this [5][8] - Union leaders assert that the strike is not intended to inconvenience customers but to promote a balanced workforce that enhances financial stability [5][8] Group 3: Government and Bank Responses - An urgent meeting was convened by the Department of Financial Services to discuss measures to ensure the smooth functioning of customer services, digital channels, and ATM cash availability during the strike [6][8] - Public sector banks, including SBI, have communicated to stock exchanges about the potential impact of the strike, indicating that while arrangements have been made for normal operations, disruptions are likely [7][8]