Nationwide Bank Strike: Over 500 Union Members Protest in Coimbatore

Coimbatore: Banking services, particularly at public sector banks across the country, were affected on Friday as the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) called a nationwide strike to press for the immediate implementation of a five-day workweek and the resolution of pending wage and pension-related demands.

The UFBU, an umbrella body comprising seven unions — AIBEA, AIBOC, AIBOA, BEFI, NCBE, INBEF and INBOC — representing around 90% of bank officers and employees, called the strike after its demands remained unresolved. Key demands include declaring all Saturdays as holidays, improving and updating pension benefits, introducing a uniform dearness allowance formula for pensioners, and allowing employees covered under the National Pension System (NPS) to switch to the Old Pension Scheme (OPS).

For bank workers, the dispute reflects years of delay in addressing core demands. The push for a five-day workweek dates back to a 2024 settlement that is yet to be implemented, while unions’ objections to the government’s incentive scheme trace back to 2020.

In Coimbatore, more than 500 bank employees and officers took part in a protest in support of the nationwide strike. The protesters gathered in front of the Bank of Baroda, opposite the Railway Station, raised slogans highlighting their demands and urged the authorities to take immediate steps to address them.

The strike affected several services at public sector bank branches in Coimbatore, including cash deposits and withdrawals, cheque clearances and administrative work. However, digital banking services, including UPI and internet banking, remained operational.

According to reports, the UFBU had served notice of an all-India strike on September 11, 2026. A further three-day strike is planned from September 28 to 30, followed by an indefinite nationwide strike from October 26 if the dispute remains unresolved.