CEB TUS TO STRIKE ON JUNE 28

TUS say will besiege Presidential Secretariat, Temple Trees if Police obstructed march: Threatens countrywide strike if demands are not resolved

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) Trade Unions’ Alliance would hold a countrywide protest march on June 28 against Government’s refusal to rectify salary anomalies and oppression of trade unions, CEB Trade Unions’ Alliance announced yesterday.

TUA Secretary Ranjan Jayalal said 22,000 employees of all section of the CEB would take part in the strike, disrupting all main services forcing the Government to resolve the issues of the CEB employees.

“We will hold a peaceful protest march. We had warned the Government. If the Police obstructed us and attempt to tear gas or baton charge we will surely besiege the Presidential Secretariat and the Temple Trees,” he said.“if the Government failed to address the issues we will go launch countrywide action,” he said.

“Most of the main CEB functions, including breakdown responses, bill payments and other maintenance at all plants will be stopped,” he said.

Mr. Jayalal said that, while management received a salary increment of over 70%, the salaries of other saw an increment of only 30%. He also claimed that discussions with authorities failed to produce a positive outcome, which had led to the decision by the unions to consider an islandwide strike.

He also charged that there was an attempt to privatise the CEB. He said they would not let that happen.

He also said the employees representing all the political parties has gathered to the betterment of the CEB therefore the Government would not be able to stand against employee demands.