By Ifham Nizam
The Joint Trade Union Coalition of Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) comprising nearly 15,000 employees is threatening strike action after a final decision on April 16.
The Union’s General Secretary, H. A. Ranjan Jayalal told The Island that prior to the strike they would launch a sick note campaign on April 11. He said: "We are demanding a 20 per cent pay hike because we were given only 25 per cent when we requested a 45 per cent hike. The executives, too, got the said amount but now they have increased their amount by another 20 per cent or more, going by the salary ratio. We are not against it, but we too should be looked after."CEB insiders, however, said that without the backing of the powerful engineers union a strike by lower rangers, despite their huge numbers was unlikely to affect the power supply.
He said that with the increased ratio, the General Manager now got a pay hike of 45 per cent apart from his other benefits and others like the Additional General Managers had been given a nearly 50 per cent salary increase.
According to Jayalal, despite numerous requests, Power and Energy Minister, Patali Champika Ranawaka has not responded. However, Ministry sources said that they were not aware of any such request. They said that the unions should first contact the CEB, Chairman and not the Minister.
Jayalal said that over 15,000 workers belonging to the warring unions would strike in protest against the pay hikes granted only to the engineers and other executives of the CEB.
Recently, the Treasury granted a 25 per cent pay hike to the executives of the CEB.
The engineers' union after getting the 25 per cent increase given to all employees then took up the issue of the salary ratio.
Jayalal said that the trade union action had commenced earlier this month with a telegram campaign to President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
He said the telegram campaign was a great success. "I believe that President would take a positive step," he added.
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