Railway drivers, guards in limited TU action

The Railway Engine Drivers union and the Railway Guard Union are engaged in limited strike action as of 12 midnight yesterday(23).

Railway Drivers Union Secretary Indika Dodangoda speaking to the Daily News said they had resorted to such action over technical issues in the Chinese trains and the termination of employment of contract workers for having participated in their previous strike in December 2017.

“We have constantly complained to the authorities that there are technical faults in the Chinese trains. There are break defects but as of recently, they have started to penalize the drivers for the breakdowns in the trains. We have proof that this is due to technical problems and they need to be fixed, but the General Manager is not prepared to listen,” Dodangoda explained.

Transport and Civil Aviation Ministry Secretary G.S. Withanage however noted that the unions wanted the re-employment of retired workers who were on contract basis, “Whether extensions are given to retired employees is dependent on the requirement of the railways. It is an administrative decision, how can a union demand that?”, he asked. 

 

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