Railway strike leaves commuters stranded
Ishara Mudugamuwa
Scores of commuters were stranded yesterday after train services were
disrupted following the 48 hour railway strike.
|
The Fort Railway Station was completely desolate last
morning due the absence of commuters consequent to the 48
hour strike by railway workers. Picture by Rukmal Gamage |
Railway Professional Trade Unions decided to launch a 48 hour strike
from July 7 midnight based on several demands including a wage hike.
The Joint Trade Union Alliance (JTUA) strike also resulted in the
cancellation of night postal trains to Batticaloa, Badulla,Vavuniya and
Trincomalee.
JTUA convenor Janaka Fernando said the Union decided to strike as the
officials of the Transport Ministry and the Salaries and Cadre
Commission failed to heed their call for a salary increase.
He said they did not receive a positive response for their request
for a Rs. 1,500 salary increase for the Railway Management Staff (RMS 1
and 2).
Fernando said Railway Guards, Railway Station Masters, Signal
Controllers and Supervising Controllers joined the strike. |
