Core Viewpoint - The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) has called for a nationwide strike on January 27 to demand the implementation of a five-day work week, following unsuccessful conciliation talks with the chief labour commissioner on January 23 [1][10]. Group 1: Strike Details - The strike will disrupt branch-level services for three consecutive days, as banks will be closed on January 25 and January 26 due to the weekend and Republic Day [1][10]. - The All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA) stated that the lack of assurance on their demands has compelled them to proceed with the strike action [2][10]. - The All India Bank Officers' Confederation (AIBOC) mentioned that the decision to declare all Saturdays as holidays was agreed upon during the wage revision settlement in March 2024 [3][10]. Group 2: Union Demands and Rationale - The unions are advocating for the declaration of all Saturdays as holidays, a demand that was reportedly agreed upon but is pending government notification [9][11]. - The National Confederation of Bank Employees (NCBE) emphasized that the movement is aimed at creating a sustainable and efficient banking system, asserting that a rested banker serves the nation better [7][10]. Group 3: Impact on Banking Operations - Services such as cash deposits, withdrawals, cheque clearances, and administrative work at public sector banks (PSBs) are expected to be significantly affected [11]. - Major private sector banks like HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, and Axis Bank are anticipated to remain largely unaffected as their employees are not part of the striking unions [11]. - Digital banking services, including UPI and internet banking, will continue to operate, although ATM cash availability may face localized issues due to logistical delays [11].