2nd lead (Correction)

Non-academic University staff in Sri Lanka to strike indefinitely

[TamilNet, Monday, 11 August 2003, 15:44 GMT]
The All-University Non-Academic Staff Unions' Federation (AUNASUF) and six non-teaching staff unions in Sri Lanka will go on a strike indefinitely starting Tuesday, August 12, putting forward a 21-point demand, including the call for a salary review and raise and the payment of a monthly cost of living allowance, sources said.

The Sri Lanka Independent Service Workers Union, National Workers Union, All-University Workers Services Union, Independent Workers Union, All-University Assistant Warden’s Union, Peradeniya Clerical Workers Union are the unions that joined the AUNASUF in the strike.

The President of the AUNASUF, Lionel Malwathage, said Monday that his Federation had held discussions with the Minister of Tertiary Education, Mr. Kabeer Hashim, more than three times, and with the University Grants’ Commission more than five times, but there had been no favorable response to their demands. He said that there has been no pay increase to the non-academic staff since 1995.

Editor's Note: Due to an error in translation, 'Non-academic staff' was erroneously reported in the first lead as 'Teaching staff.' TamilNet regrets the error.