FUTA to evaluate progress

Dailymirror Federation of University Teachers Association (FUTA) today said a meeting to evaluate the progress of resolutions provided by the government will be held during the coming week. FUTA General Secretary Dr. Terrance Madhujith speaking to Daily Mirror online said they are expecting the government to fulfill the promises made to the academics on policy related matters concerning education and the salary hike. “The trade union action of 100 days was suspended based on three documents provided by the government – a cabinet paper issued with reference to the policy related matters on education, promise of the salary hike as well as the joint statement issued by the FUTA and the government. We are awaiting the implementation of these policy decisions,” he said. However, he said certain decisions that were supposed to come into effect following the suspension of the trade union action are still in limbo. “We demanded the annulment of eight circulars, we believed posed a threat to university autonomy. They were supposed to be repealed by the University Grants Commission (UGC) following the suspension of our trade union action. But they are still in the process of implementing the decision,” he added. (Lakna Paranamanna) Join the conversation

Comrade Bala, CMU and FUTA

October 19, 2012, 8:21 pm , The Island


In early 1970s, I had the honour of serving as a general councillor, at Ceylon Mercantile Union, representing the staff at European managed multinational, Shaw Wallace & Hedges and learn the intricacies of industrial disputes and labour struggles, by closely following the quick-witted maestro, comrade Bala Tampoe. CMU was then an exclusively a white collar worker's union catering to the European managed sterling companies. The staunch Marxist-Troskyte Bala, was our General Secretary and undisputed leader. He broke his links with the LSSP, when the party stalwarts decided to align with what he termed a 'capitalist government' of Sirimavo in 1964, and since then remained unbound to any traditional political powers. While 'Bala' steadfastly remained faithful to his Troskyte leanings, he converted CMU into a unique entity, devoid of race, cast, religious, political thought, as its membership was a mixture of an equally proportioned different racial, religious and political groups, who were united under a common banner and cause, for the welfare of members through continuous struggle against a repressive management collectively acting through the powerful Employer's Federation of Ceylon.

I was highly disappointed reading your correspondent's interview with the FUTA spokesman, published on October 15, where I learnt they, what I would call, 'grabbed' half a million rupees from the veteran, nonagenarian trade unionist as a grant. (Was it his personal money or donation drawn out of CMU funds, was not clear).

Running its office in a rented space on the first floor of a Chatham Street building, the 88-year-old trade union pioneered by Labour leader A E Goonesinghe, came under young rebellious LSSP lawyer, Bala in 1948, who took over and remained as its general secretary to date.

Realising the importance of having its own premises, Bala, convinced the 32,000 strong membership in late 70's to contribute two rupees per month for two years towards a building fund. The sprawling three story building with a huge auditorium at 22nd lane Colpetty stands testimony to this man's farsighted visionary. (My total contribution was 48 Rupees, which spread over a period of 24 months, drawing an average monthly pay of 450 Rupees).

FUTA, instead of visiting him for funds, (perhaps an unconvincing attempt to counter the allegation of receiving NGO Dollars, made by the pro-government buffoons), after carrying millionaire political opportunists on their shoulders from Galle to Hyde park, the home ground for seven decades of our quick-witted national icon Bala; the 'Dons' should have sought his advise and blessings prior to launching their show. If they did, sure FUTA would have received wise, trusted guidance and advice from the skeptic man who possesses an ability to grasp difficult situations with his brilliant skills. The somewhat flimsy, 6% of the GDP, (just one among many 'mistakes' committed), could have been made on a more rational launching pad, thus avoiding the suspicious character of the demand, especially among the intelligent sectors.

However, let me say this please, dear learned academics, I have a right and an obligation to do so. The CMU unlike in our time today is open to minor grades of workers as well, a category, who's pathetic life styles, which your spokesman who proudly claimed at the interview as a 'social democrat', would understand better. They are the people who contribute to the coffers of the union. The struggle is either partially settled or that the authorities had 'pulled the wool over somebody's eyes', whichever the case and reality, now that you are entitled for full emoluments as back wages, a luxury we as CMU members never enjoyed in the late 60's in a 90-day strike, please do return the half a million rupees, but continue to visit the literate thinker, Bala before planning any future action, for thoughtful, sophisticated brilliant ideas.

K. K. S. Perera

Panadura