Rail strike cripples services

by Rajmi Manatunga

A strike launched by locomotive drivers brought train operations islandwide to a standstill yesterday compelling the Railways Department to summon retired employees to carry on the service. According to the Railway Main Control Room, all afternoon train services were cancelled due to the strike which commenced at 12 noon causing severe difficulties for schoolchildren and other commuters.

Chairman of the Locomotive Drivers' Union K.A.U. Konthasinghe told the Daily News that the strike was launched to protest the Government's failure to rectify their salary anomalies.

"The salary anomalies of our field of work have not been addressed for over 20 years. We have conveyed our grievances to the Railways Minister and he has directed officials to take action. But there is no effort on their part to address the problem," he said.

He said that although a discussion was held between Ministry officials and the Union on Monday the results were not satisfactory.

However, a Railways Ministry spokesman said the parties were able to reach a consensus during Monday's discussion and that in such circumstances it was unfair to resort to a strike. He further said that the Department will operate at least a skeletal service during the strike with the help of retired locomotive drivers."The Ministry has decided to cancel all leave of Railways Department employees," he added.