The Railway Employees have been on strike since December 8 citing salary discrepancies and problems in the Engine Driver Assistant recruitment exams.
The railway service has been declared as an essential service and the relevant gazette was also passed in Parliament on Monday (11). However, the railway unions determined to continue the strike for the 7 th day today (14).
The Department of Railway issued vacation of post letters to striking employees. However, the Union members refused to accept their ‘vacated post’ letters issued yesterday .Their position is that the letter did not come into effect, if the employees do not officially accept it. According to the law, the original letter of vacated posts is given to the employee, and a copy is filed in office. The copy does not become valid if the employee refuses to accept it, trade unionists claimed. If the Department is to send the letter through registered post, then too only the person to whom it is addressed can legally accept it. Even if a family member accepted the letter on behalf of the employee, the Department cannot state that the letter has been accepted by the employee, thus he remains in employment. While this position is taken by the trade unionists, some eight (8) railway trade unions announced that they have decided to return for active duty as from today.
Meanwhile a Ministerial Sub-Committee appointed to resolve railway issue chaired by Dr Sarath Amunugama is scheduled to meet railway trade union representatives at 9.00 am today (13).
The Railway unions announced they will decide on whether to continue with the strike or not based on their meeting with the Ministerial Sub- Committee today (13).
