Trade Unions’ duty

The decision taken by the CEB Engineers to call off their threatened strike would no doubt come in for high praise by the public who would have been having nightmares about impending blackouts in the coming days.

It is also reflective of the responsibility and high sense of duty that could normally be associated with a group of professionals such as engineers which it is hoped would be likely emulated by their colleagues in the medical profession.

It is also hoped that this gesture by the CEB engineers at a time the country is in deep economic crisis triggered by the continuing surge in world oil prices would be followed by Trade Unions in other sectors.

Their exemplary conduct in the whole matter certainly comes as a breath of fresh air into the country’s raucous Trade Union movement who are prone to use coercive tactics to win their demands. The decision of the CEB engineers is all the more commendable since not all of their demands were met at the meeting with the President.

Their demand for duty free vehicle permits was turned down by the President citing the current state of the economy. This shows that they had acted responsibly without being pig headed, which speaks volumes for their patience, understanding and forbearance.

It certainly is conduct worthy of their high professional status that has come to be accepted by the public. It is also a demonstration of the give and take principle which should be the hallmark in the bargaining process by Trade Unions.

It is also a revelation that any problem however seemingly intractable could be surmounted through discussion and dialogue. The country as a whole no doubt will heave a sigh of relief that CEB engineers called off their strike sparing us permanent blackouts as witnessed in 1995 when engineers downed their tools.

Their action also spared the country of a massive economic loss not to mention the negative impact created in the minds of foreign visitors and particularly investors. If only all other Trade Unions followed this example and refrained from precipitate action that could only harm the country at a time it is battling the vagaries of world commodity prices.

It is therefore incumbent on all Trade Union leaders to revise their options. They should place a moratorium on strikes and work stoppages at least until the situation eases. They should also not be unmindful of the ongoing military operations that have reached a decisive phase.

Their agitations here for pay hikes could only demoralise the valiant heroes who do not have such luxuries. With talk of a planned General Strike called by the JVP, Prabhakaran could not but be the happiest man since the main thrust of the LTTE has been to cause damage and debilitate the economy.

The LTTE will not have much to do to achieve that aim if trade unions engage in activities that have the same objective.

True, the cost of living is high and the masses are finding it difficult on many fronts. But the Trade Unions members who are agitating for pay hikes should be realistic and ask themselves if their demands could be met given the present state of the economy.

The TUs should accept the fact that this is the most worker friendly Government we have ever had. Did not President Mahinda Rajapaksa raise the lowest minimum wage of all public servants not very long ago?

Is it also not an indication that these demands would be met once the economic crisis eases and things normalise? President Rajapaksa who was a doughty fighter of the working class from the days he was a fledgling politician we are certain would give a sympathetic ear to the grievances of the agitators and it is only fair that he be given some time until things settle down.

We hope this would be in the not too distant future. They can be assured that they would not be thrown out on their ear as happened in July 1980 when thousands lost their jobs for a demand of a paltry Rs. 10 wage increase.

The problem with Trade Unions is that they have become the cats paw of political parties with sinister designs. They use the strike bludgeon to browbeat Governments to accede to their demands little realising the consequences of the actions.

There are elements within these Trade Unions whose sole mission is sabotage. This is amply witnessed in our universities which have turned into battlegrounds depriving students of their right to education.

It is in this context that one should view the conduct of the CEB engineers. Let us hope that their example would act as shining beacon that would redefine the meaning of Trade Unions and make them live up to their original ideals.