UFBU Circular: Congratulations to all our unions and members all over
the country for the massive success of the strike at the call of UFBU to
protest against the undue delay in approving the recommendations of the
IBA on introduction of 5 Days Banking per week as agreed in the MOU
dated 7-12-2023 and Settlement dated 8-3-2024 and demanding
expeditious introduction of 5 days banking.
As per reports reaching us from different parts of the country, the strike
was a huge success everywhere in all the Banks. The photos of the
demonstrations held at various centres revealed the anger and
resentment amongst the bank employees and officers over the
Government’s undue delay in considering our genuine demand when
already IBA has agreed and signed the Settlement on the same. The
response was wholesome and their participation was overwhelming.
This is all the more appreciable and commendable in the face of various
attempts to intimidate, threaten and coerce a section of the officers with a
view to prevent them from participating in the strike. This gave the
impression that the entire machinery was more busy in scuttling the
strike than to find amicable solution to our justified demand. But our
members braved all these attempts and made the strike an
unprecedented success.
Because of the strike, normal banking operations were greatly affected
and paralised. Large number of Branches were closed down. But our
intention was not to disrupt the banking services. The objective of the
strike call was to draw the attention of the Government to resolve our
demand. Even as late as 22nd and 23rd January, 2026, during the
conciliation proceedings, we tried our best to find solution to our demand.
But the approach of the Government was unhelpful.When the Government wanted us to defer the strike, we informed the CLC
and the Government that UFBU shall wait till the evening of 26th January
to respond to any positive move of the Government. But unfortunately,
there was no initiative from their side.
Thus, the strike was forced on us and we have gone ahead with the strike
call.
In many places, particularly in the northern States, the weather was
inclement and unfavourable for rallies, etc. In Delhi, there was heavy
rain. But all these difficulties did not deter or discourage our members.
Our members went whole-hog and made the rallies and demonstrations
to big success.
We once again greet, salute and congratulate all our Unions and members
for the memorable success of today’s strike.
We only hope that the concerned authorities would understand the mood
of the bank employees and officers and our justified demand and take
measures to resolve the same and introduce 5 days banking at the
earliest.
UFBU meeting will be held at the earliest to take stock of the
developments and decide our further course of action.
With greetings,
