Today’s Strike a massive successRed Salute to all our unions and members

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,