Two-day CPC strike ends following discussions

Thursday, 27 July 2017 02:48 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

After attempting to strong-arm the Ceylon Petroleum Cooperation trade unions by deploying the military to handlee fuel distribution, the Government finally brought a two-day strike to a close following discussions with union leaders.

The Trade Unions Collective agreed to postpone their strike following discussions with President Maithripala Sirisena last evening.

“The President said that the draft of the agreement was approved by the Cabinet subject to amendments. He assured us that our demands would be accommodated when the amendments from the Parliament debate were incorporated,” Convenor of the Trade Unions Collective D.J. Rajakaruna told Daily FT.

Rajakaruna claimed that President Sirisena told the union representatives that he would discuss the matter with the three ministers responsible for negotiating the agreement.

“So we will meet him on Tuesday again for discussions. There was no mention of the agreement being signed on Saturday,” he said.

However, Ports Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe on Tuesday said that the agreement would be signed on Saturday.

In an attempt to put an end to the strike, the Government yesterday listed the services of the CPC as essential, forcing workers on strike to report to work immediately. The Army took over the CPC premises at midnight on Tuesday, paving the way for them to take over operations. On Wednesday they were able to dispatch 15 fuel bowsers before it withdrew after the CPC trade unions called off the strike.

The situation near the Kolonnawa Petroleum Storage Terminal grew tense with a mob attacking the protesting workers.

According to union leaders, goons supporting a certain local politician were behind the attack. Military police who finally brought the situation under control arrested over 16 union activists but later released them on police bail.

A tense situation arose in Parliament as well when Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe made a statement on the brewing fuel crisis, leading to a temporary suspension of proceedings.