Unions warn of more strikes
CPC work-to-rule campaign ends
By Kassapa Ellepola, J.A.L.Jayasinghe and
Athula Bandara
The JVP-affiliated trade unions yesterday vowed to pressurize the government by intensifying their trade union action during the week by launching more action in support of the ongoing work- to-rule campaign by Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) workers.
The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation Common Services Union Secretary D.J. Rajakaruna said that the work-to-rule campaign was only planned for four days and the CPC workers would resume normal work from today as scheduled earlier and said that the campaign was a 100% success since fuel supplies decreased by 30% and said that they have managed to demonstrate the power of the CPC workers.
“The fuel distribution has been disrupted with many filling stations being compelled to shut down and the government is feeling the heat now,” he said.
Mr. Rajakaruna said the union was expecting to hold a meeting with the president today and that their next step would be decided after the talks.“If the government fails to address the concerns of CPC employees we will strengthen our trade union action by bringing in other trade unions such as those in the Ceylon Electricity Board, Water Board and the Ports Authority,” he said.
Mr. Rajakaruna said Petroleum Minister A.H.M. Fowzie had said the request of CEB employees for a pay-hike was reasonable but had been pressurized by top government officials to say that the CPC workers demand for a salary increase was unfair.
A severe fuel shortage has been reported from Colombo, Anuradhapura, Dambulla and Kandy forcing motorists to wait for hours at fuel stations.
CPC workers in Anuradhapura had served the CTB, armed forces, health sector. But this work was abandoned after government trade unions urged JVP affiliated trade union to supply fuel to filling stations.
Meanwhile the Ceylon Electricity Board’s United Trade Union Front (UTUC) also threatened it would launch a three-day strike after a demonstration on Wednesday demanding for a pay hike.
UTUC Secretary Ranjan Jayalal said the government had failed to grant a pay hike since 2006 and 27 trade unions of the UTUC would take part in the demonstration opposite the CEB main office.
“We will hold a massive meeting on November 1 with the attendance of large number of CEB workers and will decide on dates for the strike,” he said.
The Ports Authority joint trade Union leader Chandrasiri Mahagamage said they have given a deadline to the management to grant a salary hike and said they too would launch trade union action if the management fails heed their demand.
He said the relief work at the Trincomalee Port had been halted because of the shortage of fuel.
CPC work-to-rule campaign ends
By Kassapa Ellepola, J.A.L.Jayasinghe and
Athula Bandara
The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation Common Services Union Secretary D.J. Rajakaruna said that the work-to-rule campaign was only planned for four days and the CPC workers would resume normal work from today as scheduled earlier and said that the campaign was a 100% success since fuel supplies decreased by 30% and said that they have managed to demonstrate the power of the CPC workers.
“The fuel distribution has been disrupted with many filling stations being compelled to shut down and the government is feeling the heat now,” he said.
Mr. Rajakaruna said the union was expecting to hold a meeting with the president today and that their next step would be decided after the talks.“If the government fails to address the concerns of CPC employees we will strengthen our trade union action by bringing in other trade unions such as those in the Ceylon Electricity Board, Water Board and the Ports Authority,” he said.
A severe fuel shortage has been reported from Colombo, Anuradhapura, Dambulla and Kandy forcing motorists to wait for hours at fuel stations.
CPC workers in Anuradhapura had served the CTB, armed forces, health sector. But this work was abandoned after government trade unions urged JVP affiliated trade union to supply fuel to filling stations.
Meanwhile the Ceylon Electricity Board’s United Trade Union Front (UTUC) also threatened it would launch a three-day strike after a demonstration on Wednesday demanding for a pay hike.
UTUC Secretary Ranjan Jayalal said the government had failed to grant a pay hike since 2006 and 27 trade unions of the UTUC would take part in the demonstration opposite the CEB main office.
“We will hold a massive meeting on November 1 with the attendance of large number of CEB workers and will decide on dates for the strike,” he said.
The Ports Authority joint trade Union leader Chandrasiri Mahagamage said they have given a deadline to the management to grant a salary hike and said they too would launch trade union action if the management fails heed their demand.
He said the relief work at the Trincomalee Port had been halted because of the shortage of fuel.
