Improvement in train service

by Rajmi Manatunga

The train service crippled by the islandwide locomotive operators' strike marked an improvement yesterday with certain striking employees reporting back to work following Sunday's discussions with the authorities.

A Railways Ministry spokesman told the Daily News that six locomotive operators who were on strike have reported back to work enabling the Department to deploy more trains from this week. Accordingly, 140 trains, the highest number since the trade union action commenced, were operated yesterday while 112 trains were operated on Sunday.

This included over 100 passenger trains and 10 goods trains.

The Ministry also blamed the Locomotive Operative Engineers' Union (LOEU) of failing to stick to a settlement which the two parties reached during Sunday's discussions.

"On Sunday the parties reached a settlement according to which the striking employees were to resume normal services at the earliest on the condition that no disciplinary action will be taken against them. But the union leaders failed to turn up to sign the agreement," the spokesman said.