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Threat to strike

by Rajmi Manatunga

The Railway Track and Bridge Managers' Union yesterday threatened to take trade union action if the railway authorities do not look into their problems including the curtailment of track work and salary anomalies.

A spokesman for the Union told the Daily News that they will resort to a strike if today's discussions with the Transport minister Upali Piyasoma fail.

"The curtailment of the essential track work will have severe repercussions on the efficiency of track maintenance and thereby on the safety, punctuality and reliability of the service. The allocation of funds for railway maintenance have also been reduced drastically in 2003 due to the non existence of capital votes for renewals while severe shortages prevail in the supply of rails, metal ballast, sleepers and track fastenings. Additional track work is essential if we are to provide a responsible service with all these shortfalls," he said.

The Union last week decided to refrain from attending to new work during normal working hours, attending to emergencies after working hours and working overtime. A final decision on the strike will be taken when the Union's committee meets tomorrow. 

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