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Today, the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) has served strike notice to IBA and DFS. Banks have also released an important notice to all its offices.
Notice Released by Banks
Notice of Strike by United Forum of Bank Unions (AIBEA–AIBOC–NCBE–AIBOA–BEFI–INBEF–INBOC–NOBW–NOBO).
It has been given to understand that the members of all the constituent unions of the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) have decided to undertake agitational programmes and propose to go on strike (third week of January 2026).
We may reiterate that the Government of India has declared the Banking Industry to be a “Public Utility Service” as defined in Clause (bb) of Section 2 of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, with effect from 15.12.2025 for a period of six months. As such, all the employees are advised to attend their duties without fail.
In case the strike materializes, all the Branch Managers / Sectional Heads are advised to apply the rule of “No Work No Pay” strictly. They are further advised to furnish information of the striking employees to the Deputy General Manager (HR).
Background of Strike
India’s banking sector is gearing up for one of its biggest strike in recent years. After months of silence from the Government on the long-pending demand for a 5-day banking system, the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) has launched a nationwide strike on January 27, 2026.
Bank unions say their demand for 5 working days per week is not new. Over the years: The 10th Bipartite Settlement (2015) granted holidays on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays. In the 11th and 12th Bipartite negotiations, unions again pushed for all Saturdays to be declared holidays. On 7 December 2023, IBA agreed in principle. On 8 March 2024, the final joint note confirmed that full 5-day banking would start once the Government approved the proposal.
But two years later, approval is still pending. Unions say that bank staff are dealing with long working hours, severe manpower shortages, heavy public dealing, and immense pressure—making this demand both “reasonable and justified.”
UFBU Agitation Programme Schedule
UFBU has released following agitation programme:
| Date / Period | Activity |
|---|---|
| 1 Dec 2025 – 15 Jan 2026 | Campaign meetings, workshops, seminars at all levels; explain issues like merger, FDI, privatisation, etc. |
| 01-12-2025 | UFBU letter to IBA about the agitation |
| 03-12-2025 | UFBU letter to Chief Labour Commissioner (CLC) |
| 05-12-2025 | UFBU letter to Department of Financial Services (DFS) |
| 08-12-2025 | UFBU letter to all Managing Directors of banks |
| 09-12-2025 | Mass memorandum from all branches to IBA |
| 12-12-2025 | Mass memorandum from all branches to Finance Minister |
| 16-12-2025 | Badge-wearing protest across branches |
| 23-12-2025 | Demonstrations in all State Capitals |
| 30-12-2025 | Demonstrations in all centres, towns, and districts |
| 04-01-2026 | Twitter campaign |
| 05-01-2026 | Dharna in all State Capitals; announcement of strike date |
| 13-01-2026 | Press meet / press release |
| 27-01-2026 | All India Bank Strike |
