Railway strike called off
Posted by Editor on August 12, 2018 - 2:08 pm
The trade unions of the Railways Department had decided to call off their strike following a discussion with President Maithripala Sirisena, a top TU official said.
After a lengthy discussion, the President has promised to provide prompt solutions for their issues and therefore they had decided to call of their strike, he further said.
Several railway trade unions including drivers and guards launched a strike without prior notice at 3 pm on 8th August, protesting the failure to provide solutions to salary disparities in the railway service.
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My suggestions
SL Government must keep in mind this story and Railway Staff need to privatize as soon as possible but not the properties (Train, Stations and repair stations)
Henceforth need to recruit new staff under a private company agreement with no strike condition until discussed with relevant parties if any problem.
Selected army professional drivers need to send to India for a proper training. Then govt will be able to get their service when illegal strike.
The union calling for a strike should be declared illegal unless they go for postal voting such that all the members of the union will be able to vote
When the Railway Unions called a strike, unannounced, illegal, had I been the Leader in Sri Lanka, I would have set-up a podium in front of the Fort Railway station and announced to the public that:
1.) If if the railway strikers do not return to work in 2 hours
2.) I will present legislation in Parliament divesting the Department of Railway Operations
3.) I will handover all railway operations to a majority Govt owned company
4.) I Invite India and Singapore to buy shares in the company and takeover operations
5.) all railway employees may be considered for employment in the new company
6.) permit India and Singapore to provide operational resources in the short term
7.) all these actions will move with lightening speed (2 weeks)
This is what Lee Kuan Yew did when employees of Singapore Airlines went on strike.
And true to his word, he implemented what he said.
And that is why Singapore is a proud and debt-free country today.