CTSU postpones April 22 Strike to May 8, 9
View(s):Unions representing Teachers and Principals have postponed their token Strike planned for April 22, but instead, launch a ‘Sick Note’ campaign on May 8 and 9, if authorities continued to ignore their demands, the Ceylon Teachers’ Services Union (CTSU) stated.
CTSU Secretary Mahinda Jayasinghe said the Unions decided to postpone their Trade Union (TU) action planned for April 22- the 1st day of the new school term, as it would interfere with exam paper marking, as well as a series of student assessments scheduled for that week.
Nevertheless, he warned they will launch a sick note campaign on May 8 and 9 if authorities continue to ignore their longstanding demand to increase increments of Teachers and Principals.
“This issue has been dragging since 1994. We have tried repeatedly to work out a solution with the authorities, but have not received a response. By May 8, it will be 40 days since we engaged in our last TU action over this matter. We have informed the Government in writing that, if it continues to turn a blind eye to us by then, we will launch the ‘Sick Note’ campaign, but may even extend that to a continuous strike later,” Mr Jayasinghe warned.
The CTSU Secretary claimed that 42 TUs representing Teachers and Principals are prepared to join the Strike.
He said that Teachers in the rank of Class 1 are due for an increment of Rs 31,000, Class 2 – Grade I an increment of Rs 23,000, Class 2 – Grade II an increment of Rs 14,000, and Class 3 – Grade 1 an increment of Rs 10,000.
Mr Jayasinghe charged that the Government, while acknowledging Teachers are entitled to the increments, keeps delaying granting them, citing various “excuses.”
“When we stage a Srike, the Education Ministry issues news releases claiming that so many students were inconvenienced by the Teachers’ Strike. But, it is they who must accept responsibility for that, as they keep ignoring our demands,” he insisted.
- Damith Wickramasekara