Postal workers vow to continue trade union action

COLOMBO (News First) - The Postal and Telecommunication Services Union says they will continue their trade union action as discussions held to resolve the crisis were unsuccessful. The Department of Posts said the strike action has caused the department a daily loss of 150 million rupees. It has been 8 days since the postal workers launched their strike action demanding for solutions to the crisis surrounding the recruitment process. Claiming that authorities have failed to resolve the issue, postal workers began a protest march from the Central Mail Exchange this morning. Close to 2000 postal workers from across the country took part in March. Later the postal workers marched up to Colombo Fort via D.R. Wijewardena Mawatha, Gamini Roundabout and Technical Junction. The protest obstructed one lane of Olcott Mawatha and the entrance route to the Galle Face Green. Thereafter the protesters attempted to march towards the Presidential Secretariat. Following which a few of the protesters were called into the Presidential Secretariat for discussions. General Secretary of Postal and Telecommunication Services Union H.K. Kariyawasam stated that although they handed over the letter and came out that it was not the Secretary to the President that was there, it was only two additional secretaries. He further said that the protest will continued until the government pays due attention and provide solutions.