TU coalition poised to take action against govt.

By Nirmala Kannangara

Trade unions have reached consensus to bring the country to a virtual standstill for three days before end July, Technological Service Trade Unions Federation (TSTUF) told The Sunday Leader.

The government’s failure to increase public, private and estate sector salaries on par with the rising cost of living (CoL), has compelled the combined trade unions, irrespective of party politics, to join the JVP at the proposed one day token strike on July 10 followed by a three day general strike, Deputy General Secretary, TSTUF, Nimal S. Andradi said.

"Ours is an independent trade union sans any political affiliation. TSTUF decided to support the JVP affiliated NTUC’s open invitation to join the proposed one day token strike to urge the government to address the working masses’ demands. The three day strike will be launched on a Wednesday. Work would then come to a standstill for five consecutive days taking Saturday and Sunday into account," he added.

"We learn that the government claims our request for the Rs.5,000 salary increase is unreasonable as the country is on a war footing. If this is the case people would be willing to make sacrifices but first the President and his cabinet of ministers should set an example by reducing wastage, bribery and corruption," said Andradi.

Meanwhile, Inland Revenue Service Unions (IRSU), also an independent body has decided to support the combined trade union action to urge the government to address the plight of the country’s eight million workers.

"The government has failed to address the peoples’ grievances and therefore we will join the JVP trade unions to force the government to grant the salary increase. Our members decided to cooperate with the NTUC," Ex-Co Member, IRSU, G.N. Jayaratne told he said .