Public Service Trade Unions have warned that if the authorities fail to address their demands within today they will convene in Colombo tomorrow (July 10) to decide on the future course of action.
The trade unions state they are not ready to give up following the two-day campaign and that they have agreed to convert the trade union action into a continuous strike.
The ‘Sick Leave’ campaign launched by 200 public sector trade unions, demanding a Rs. 20,000 salary hike and to revise the salary to Rs. 25,000 matching that of executive officers, continues for the second consecutive day today.
The two-day trade union action was launched yesterday with the participation of the trade unions of postal, Grama Niladharis, surveyors, Samurdhi, District and Divisional Secretaries, and education officers.
It is reported that most public offices are empty due to the strike action, with all the non-executive level services not reporting for duties today, severely inconveniencing the public.
General Secretary of the Ceylon Teachers Union (CTU) Joseph Stalin said teachers and principals of all schools are engaged in the trade union action and have reported sick today, affecting the academic activities of school children.
He further said that, however, they are continuing the practical tests of the GCE Ordinary Level Examination.
Meanwhile, Postal employees have reported sick for duty, while only executive grade and administrative officers have reported for duty, resulting in the Central Mail Exchange and several main post offices closing.
The striking trade unions have requested the people not to come to receive the services of public institutions today. (Newswire)
