Govt condemns teachers’ TU action

Strike by unions on October 29, 30 unreasonable - Yapa:

Rajmi MANATUNGA

THE Government yesterday condemned the trade union action organised by teacher unions next week stating that it was unwarranted and would lead to unpleasantness in the education sector.

Cabinet spokesman and Information and Media Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa said the strike called by the unions on October 29 and 30 was unreasonable since the Salary and Cadre Commission is already addressing the salary anomalies of teachers.

“If the unions do have a problem regarding salary anomalies, they could have waited until the Commission makes its recommendation before rushing into a strike. Therefore the planned trade union action is unwarranted,” he said.

The Minister pointed out that teachers were already on a high salary scale when compared with other government employees, as a result of the salary increases granted in 1994.

“Therefore, we condemn such trade union action. It would only create unpleasantness among students and parents,” he said.