Teachers to strike

Nine Trade Unions representing the teachers and school principals are to go for joint trade union action against the failure of the education authorities to resolve their salary anomalies and other issues.

Trade Unions participating in the trade union action include the Ceylon Teachers Service Union, Independent Ceylon Teachers Union, National Education Services Union, Pirivena Teacher Services Union, Union of Trained Teaching Professionals, Sri Lanka School Principals Services Union, National Principal Services Union and the All Ceylon National Education Service Union.

Ceylon Teachers Service Union Secretary Mahinda Jayasinghe told a news conference today that more unions would join in the action shortly. He said discussions are continuing with several other unions who are willing to go for a joint struggle.

He said they were compelled to go for a trade union action without announcing a date as the demand they have been making for a salary increase for the last 14 years is yet to be implement by the education authorities in the country.

He said the assurance given by the ministry of Education to submit a cabinet paper seeking a salary increase for the teachers and principals is yet to be met. Mr. Jayasinghe said it was assured the paper would be submitted on August 23 but it is yet to be fulfilled.

Mr. Jayasinghe explained that the unions were forced to file legal action in 2009 as the authorities failed to implement the salary increment recommended by the B. C. Perera Commission in 1997. This he said resulted in Supreme Court ordering an increment. He said the government had failed to implement the increment though Rs.3 billion was allocated from the 2009 budget.

He said a grade one teacher should get a salary of Rs.36,777 per month but the unions are ready to accept a monthly salary of Rs.25,515.  The current salary for a grade one teacher is Rs.21,515.

Mr. Jayasinghe said they would also fight for the promotions that are pending since 2008. The unions therefore said they would also fight for these promotions and salary arrears in this regard.

A joint demand signed by the heads of nine unions was dispatched to the minister of Education today. (Yohan Perera)