University non-academic staff call off strike temporarily
View(s):University non-academic staff on Friday (11) agreed to temporarily call off their month-long islandwide strike, following President Maithripala Sirisena’s directive to the Salaries & Cadre Commission to resolve their salary anomaly issue within a month.
University Trade Union Joint Committee (UTUJC) Co-President Dhammika S. Priyantha said Union representatives met with the Higher Education Ministry Secretary on Friday, when the President’s directive was communicated to them in writing. “Accordingly, we have agreed to temporarily call off our strike, in the hope the authorities will address our issues within the one month deadline given by the President,” he added.
Mr Priyantha however, said they have kept the door open for a resumption of trade union action, if the Government failed to resolve their issue within a month.
About 16, 000 non-academic staff members belonging to 27 unions at 15 State universities and 15 State-run higher education institutions commenced their strike on September 10. All academic and other activities at these instiutions have been paralysed since then.
- SJ