Most teachers defy strike call

Dharma Sri ABEYRATNE

School activities have not been affected by the token strike by 12 trade unions of Teachers' Service and Principals' Service.

These trade unions launched an islandwide token strike yesterday over salary anomalies.

However the trade union action was reported to be a flop since a majority of teachers and principals had reported for duty. According to the Education Ministry sources more than 80 per cent of teachers and principals have reported for duty while the students turnover was around 80 to 98 per cent as on a 'normal' day.

Principals in many parts of the country confirmed that the teachers and students turnover was not affected by the trade union action. Principals contacted by the Daily News said the normal academic activities were carried out. "It is really unfair that some teachers' trade unions go for trade union action when the G.C.E. Ordinary Level Examination is at hand. Moreover, the Ministry of Education has taken all possible steps to rectify the salary anomalies of the principals and teachers services," Education Ministry sources told the Daily News. A joint press release by the 12 trade unions who launched the token strike has mentioned that the trade union action was 60 per cent successful.