Water trade unions to protest from today

• Countrywide trade union action to be launched by SJB on March 15

The Water Supply Trade Union Collective Alliance said yesterday that they have decided to participate in the countrywide trade union action to be launched by Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) on March 15 (Wednesday). 

Alliance convener Upali Rathnayake told the Daily Mirror that they have scheduled to engage in their trade union action from Monday (13). 

The trade union action will be against the government’s move to impose a huge PAYE tax, increase the electricity bills, increase bank interest rates, and urge the government to honour the working people their freedom to exercise their democratic rights.  According to their action plan, the trade union action will kick off on Monday. “We will launch a work-to-rule campaign. During the campaign tender evaluation will not be conducted, no participation at meetings with the management, will not conduct training programmes and will not participate any programs and no meter reading will be taken. 

During the business hours of that day, people will not be registered to avail new connections and will not attend to other functions including disconnection of water supply lines,” he said. 
“On Tuesday (14), the union had decided to refrain from work for four hours, starting at 10.00 am along with the trade union action conducted on Monday. 
Within the four-hour period, all consumer services and office services will not function. No breakdowns will be attended to, but pump houses and water treatment plants will function as usual.