Thousands hit by rail strike
Thousands of commuters were inconvenienced by the sudden and unannounced railway employees’ strike yesterday afternoon.
The strike was called off at 7.30 pm. Transport Minister, Kumara Welgama asked the railway unions not to hide behind labour rights to strike at peak hours, putting the public in great difficulty.
He asked the unions to have discussions, try and resolve the issues before going for strike action. Minister asked the Director General of the Railway Department to investigate the legality of holding such unannounced strikes.
During the strike, steps were taken to minimize the inconvenience to the public. All trains covered by the Colombo Control Centre operated even during the strike.
Extra buses provided by the Sri Lanka Transport Board at the Fort station and at Maradana provided free of charge services to season train ticket holders.
The unions have agreed to halt the industrial action showing confidence in the minister’s written promise to begin discussions by this Friday in order to address the concerns raised by the unions regarding salary scale and grade issues.
Courtesy: Daily News
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Stringent laws should be enacted in Parliament against Unions that paralyse the country with unannounced strikes, without attempting a civilised path of negoatiations first, to resolve disputes.
THE LAW I AM THINKING OF IS TO HIT UNION FUNDS TO PAY IN COMPENSATION FOR THE LOSSES CAUSED.
This sudden and unprovoked strike by a trade union must be illegal even under the existing laws.The conveners should have been arrested and produced before a magistrate for further legal action.That would have been a deterrant punishment to arrest wild ass attitudes of these irresponsible TUs.Immagine the immense difficulties faced by the commuters including the women folk returning home with so many expectations in their minds.
AUJ/ND,
Why not give the perpetrators the white van treatment! Why hesitate. Is it because they are not from the ethnic minorities? When there is no law and order in the country anything goes. When the rulers themselves are crooks why blame the ordinary folk who are seeking justice in the only way they know, go on strike.
Udu,
You are talking about the lack of law an order one minuite and you are supporting the thugs who carrried out or organised a strike that effected the common people of the country.THis strike did not effect MR or his people as you always point out. THey have cars with all the money they have been stealing as you point out.
So what did they achieve. They just pissed off ordinary people. This is not the right thing to do. I agree that industrial action is required if the workers don’t get a fair deal but this is not the wat to do it.It won’t help the cause or the country.