News
|
||||
JVP
unions warn of crippling strikes A decision on the sale of the shares is to be taken up at a special cabinet meeting to be held tomorrow. The controversy over plans to restructure the Ceylon Electricity Board will also be taken up at this special cabinet meeting amidst threats by CEB unions to plunge the country into a blackout if the government did not back down from the restructuring plan. CPC joint trade union front leader Ranjith Ananda said they had been informed that the government was planning to go ahead with the sale of the remaining shares of the CPC despite assurances given by Power and Energy Minister Susil Premajayantha. He warned that if the government went ahead with its plans the unions would go ahead with their strike, which would cripple fuel distribution in all filling stations, including those run by the Indian Oil Company. In a similar move a JVP-led union in the CEB has threatened to go on strike if the government decides to go ahead with what it calls restructuring but what the JVP sees as privatization. CEB Employees’s Union secretary Ranjan Jayalal warned they would go on strike from Tuesday if the cabinet decided tomorrow to go ahead with plans. He said other unions affiliated to the UPFA and the UNP had also pledged to join or support the strike amidst fears that a countrywide blackout and a fuel shortage could have devastating effects on the economy. |
||||
Copyright © 2001 Wijeya Newspapers
Ltd. All rights reserved. |
