Unions divided over strike

• Railway TUs uncertain over joining strike 
• Bus services to operate as usual 
• GMOA, CEB, teachers, banks, postal, ports, water board to withdraw from services 

By Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama and Ajith Siriwardana  

While some of the trade unions including GMOA, Ports, CEB, customs, banks, water board and postal services announced yesterday that they would go ahead with their planned trade union action against the new tax policy, increased electricity tariffs and bank interest rates another section of the unions in the government sector including railways and bus services said they would not support the strike. 

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) said they would participate in the trade union action today. GMOA Spokesperson Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe said that they engaged in their trade union action yesterday, but no response was received from any responsible authority and therefore the association’s central committee decided to continue the TU action until they receive any response.   

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) engineers and other employees have decided to go on sick leave today in protest against the government’s tax policy.   

However, the specialized hospitals in provinces, including maternity and children’s hospitals, the National Cancer Institute, the National Institute of Mental Health, Nephrology treatment units, military hospitals, and emergency services in all hospitals, will not be affected by the trade union action.   

The Water Board workers yesterday withdrew from their duties and engaged in their four-hour trade union action until 2 p.m. claiming that the President has not paid heed to their demands as yet.  Therefore, the workers have decided to engage in 24-hour trade union action today. No office or customer service will be entertained. However, there will be no disruptions to the water supply, but we will not engage in any breakdown activities.   
The Customs Trade Unions have also decided to join hands with the joint-trade-union action to protest against the new tax policy.   
They said in a statement that they were ready to pay taxes under a reasonable tax policy, but the new tax policy introduced by the government was unreasonable.   

Ceylon Teachers Union (CTU) Secretary Joseph Stalin said all teachers and principals in schools around the country have decided to participate in the trade union action today.   

However, the Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA), the Inter Provincial Private Bus Owners’ Association (IPPBOA), the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB), the Sri Lanka Railways Station Masters’ Union (SLRSMU), the Railway Controllers, and the Railway Superintendents have decided not to engage in the trade union action today.   Meanwhile, the Locomotive Engineers’ Association said that the train drivers will go on a one-day strike from midnight yesterday, but said their decision is uncertain.   

SLRSMU President Sumedha Somaratne said the railway trade unions will not take part in today’s general strike and have decided to support the General Manager of Railways and not take part in the strike.   

However, Railways General Manager W. A. D. S. Gunasinghe said the engine drivers’ unions have communicated that they will take part in today’s trade union action. Railway services will be hampered due to the trade union action. Discussions are underway to avoid service interruptions. However, there is a possibility that railway services will be hampered,” he said.   

The Inland Revenue Staff Officers’ Association and the Inland Revenue Commissioners’ Association have also decided to support the trade union action as the new tax policy is unreasonable and unfair, the Chairman of the Inland Revenue Commissioners’ Association, M.A. Priyanka, said.   

Meanwhile, the Transport Ministry yesterday cancelled leave of all Railway Department workers designated as Essential Public Service, with immediate effect.   

The President also issued an extraordinary gazette notification (2323/02) yesterday declaring the postal service an essential public service.   

However, Cabinet Media Spokesperson Minister Bandula Gunawardena said yesterday that legal measures would be taken against the employees (of public services designated as essential services) who participate in the protests, violating the common law of the country.