Majority of CEB TUs won't join strike

A majority of the CEB Trade Unions including the CEB Trade Union Front, Joint Front of the CEB Technical Trade Unions which represents 13 Technical Trade Unions and Sri Lanka Nidahas Sevaka Sangamaya have assured the Power and Energy Minister, W. D. J. Seneviratne that they would not join the proposed July 10 strike.

'At a time when our Forces are poised to eradicate terrorism, certain political parties with narrow political moves have tried to countenance this strike as a trade union struggle and mislead Government servants. The majority of the CEB Trade Unions have registered their opposition to this move," the trade unions stated.

"Though we have certain problems relating to our careers, we are not ready to betray our trade union rights for the sake of political aims, Reiterated CEB Trade Union Combine, General Secretary, Ananda Nimalaratne.

The discussion was held at the Power and Energy Ministry under the patronage of Minister, W. D. J. Seneviratne to discuss the outstanding problems faced by the CEB Trade Unions. S.A. Ananda, Joint Secretary of the Joint Front of Technical Trade Unions said despite having a number of trade union matters to be resolved, they would not participate in the proposed strike.

The CEB unions assured the public there would not be any electricity breakdowns on July 10, as the majority of CEB employees would desert from joining the strike.Electricity Minister, Mahindananda Alutgamage, Ministry Secretary, M. M. C. Fernando and several Trade Union heads participated.