FUTA strike action a tremendous success, claims general secretary

June 7, 2014, 6:50 pm

By Maheen Senanayake. the island

FUTA went on a symbolic strike on June 3 prior to resuming trade union action in view of several demands made to the government including a 6% GDP allocation for education.

"More than 700 academics joined the hour-long picket at the Thunmulla on Tuesday,’’ said Prof. Rohan Fernando, General Secretary of FUTA. "This is a clear indication of the support we have from all our universities and our membership."

A meeting followed the picketing.

FUTA has been in discussions with the government with respect to several issues including the rectification of salary anomalies and the abolishing of a research allowance which some, including past president, Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri says "even the chairperson of the University Grants Commission found difficult to draw".

According to Dewasiri the allowance which was an interim measure pending rectification of salary anomalies is now being audited as a research grant and not as an allowance. Many have had difficulty drawing the allowance as a result.

FUTA is also demanding higher budgetary allocation for education. It also wants the government to stop interfering with university administration.

Meanwhile, students of the Allied Health Sciences (AHS) Faculty, Peradeniya, have boycotted their examinations over the reduction of the program from four years, including clinical practice, to three.

Asked why he deems the picketing a success, they said " because we were able to muster the support of all our membership."

"It gives us strength and will determine how successful we will be in securing our demands through future trade union action," Fernando said.

Attempts to contact the Minister of Higher Education for comment were not successful.