Petroleum trade unions postpone strike

Following an appeal by Petroleum Minister Arjuna Ranatunga to reconsider its decision to resort to trade union action, the Petroleum Cooperation Trade Unions’ Collective postponed its strike by one week following an assurance given that its members could hold discussions with the President next week.

Receiving no response to the written request for appointments with President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to discuss the move to lease the Trincomalee oil farm to the Indian Government, the trade unions decided to declare a day to commence the strike this week. 

However, Minister Ranatunga appealed to the trade unions to reconsider the decision due to the current situation in the country caused by the dengue epidemic. 

“I have given your letters to the President and the Prime Minister. I understand your concerns. But they have asked you to reconsider,” he said, promising to raise the matter at the next Cabinet meeting. 

Convener of the Petroleum Cooperation Trade Unions’ Collective D. J. Rajakaruna said that the unions were unconvinced of the intentions of the Government. However, they would postpone the strike taking into consideration the situation of the public. 

“We suspect the Government is avoiding meeting the trade unions to bide time. The agreements are to be signed in a few weeks and they are biding time till then. We are not fighting for personal gains, these are national issues. Taking into consideration the situation in the country, however, we will postpone trade union action by one week,” he said.