The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), representing seven bank employees’ and officers’ unions, has announced a series of agitation programmes, including an all-India bank strike on September 11.The unions are primarily demanding implementation of a five-day working week in banks by declaring all Saturdays as holidays. Though the Indian Banks’ Association and bank managements agreed in March 2024 to declare the remaining Saturdays as holidays, with working hours from Monday to Friday increased by 40 minutes, the proposal is still pending with the Finance Ministry, the UFBU said.The unions also cited several unresolved issues, including adequate recruitment of clerical and sub-staff, conversion of NPS to OPS, pension updation, uniform dearness allowance for pensioners, revision of ex-gratia for pre-November 2022 pensioners and medical insurance for retirees.The UFBU said bank branches would remain closed and banking services would not be available on strike days. In Chennai, bank employees and officers will hold a demonstration at 10.30 a.m. on September 11 near the Collector’s Office, opposite Beach Station.“The work load has increased greatly as all government schemes pass through banks. Even after repeated discussions for more than two years, nothing has happened. Tomorrow’s strike will be followed by strikes on September 28, 29, and 30, and an indefinite strike from October 26 if our demands are not met,” said C.H. Venkatachalam, general secretary, All India Bank Employees’ Association. Published - September 10, 2026 07:31 pm IST