University dons gird themselves for trade union battle

March 15, 2012, 10:08 pm , The Island.

by Dasun Edirisinghe

President of the Federation of University Teachers Associations (FUTA) Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Devasiri told The Island yesterday that the government had been informed that unless their problems were solved immediately, they would be left with no alternative but to resort to trade union action.

"Ministry has reneged on the promise again and we will make a final decision on the issue at our executive committee meeting scheduled to be held on March 21," Dr. Devasiri said.

Dr. Devasiri said that Secretary to the Ministry of Higher Education, Dr. Sunil Jayantha Navaratne had written to FUTA that the matter had been referred to the National Salaries and Cadre Commission.

FUTA members had a discussion too with Dr. Navaratne on Monday and the meeting had ended inconclusively, he said.

The senior academic said that they temporarily suspended their trade union action on July 21, 2011 on the assurance of the government.

Higher Education Secretary Dr. Sunil Jayantha Navaratne said that he had discussed the problem with FUTA members and another round of discussion would be held shortly