FUTA calls off strike

11 October 2012 12:04 pm - 47 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The trade union action by the Federation of University Teachers Association (FUTA) will be temporarily called off tomorrow, Dr. Mahim Mendis spokesman for FUTA said.

FUTA said its decision was based mainly on its responsibility towards the students though it was dissatisfied with the government’s response to the demands put forward by FUTA.

FUTA spokesman Dr. Mahim Mendis charged that the government’s proposals did not address any of their concerns that had been repeatedly highlighted during the past three months. He said most of the proposals were vague and neither here or there.

Dr. Mendis said it was up to the government to upgrade its education policies and implement them the next budget was due.
He said the union would continue its struggle to win their demands despite having called off the strike.

“We are absolutely dissatisfied with the government’s proposals. We come back to work not because we are pleased with what the government has to offer but out of a sense of responsibility towards the students,” Dr. Mendis said.

He said the government had agreed to grant some of the demands such as the payment of their salaries for the past three months and the withdrawal of some of the circulars, which were believed to have had an adverse impact on the university system.

However Dr. Mendis said FUTA’s main demands for a salary increase, a six per cent increase in government spending on the education sector and the need for autonomy in the university system had not been clearly addressed in the Cabinet memo issued in August.

“They have promised to increase government spending but have not informed us how they will do it or the timeframe for doing it. The Government has also said salaries will be increased based on a five-year mid-term policy but we have not been told quantum of the salary increase. These matters are extremely vague,” he said.

Dr. Mendis said the discussions with the Government were futile mainly because it had failed to address the grievances expressed by FUTA and the concerns of the people.

He said FUTA would hold a media briefing today to highlighted their concerns. (Olindhi Jayasundere)

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Comments - 47

ind Friday, 12 October 2012 03:47 AM

Not for nothing. They got their salary increased. They won. Two Uni students died for that.

iw Thursday, 11 October 2012 11:53 PM

Any thanks for the lecturers who taught you upto that (final exam) level without striking over poor salaries?

Lobo Friday, 12 October 2012 12:50 AM

They should have thought of that before launching the strike. All this confusion and inconvenience just for nothing now.

Marx Friday, 12 October 2012 02:26 AM

Good decision, but university community needs to work on employability of their graduates and work with industry, not just getting govt. institutions positions as state run organisations what you can do with them, all corrupted and politicized. If you are with the industry, you ar doing something for the economy. Have you ever do anything to make your graduates employable? Any industry funds for research to solve industry problems? These are things you should do to gain confidence from public and as university community, not just academics this includes professional staff in the university system. Admin staff too needs to do research to improve admin systems and processes as they get sabbatical and all facilities more than academics. Why UGC can't make this happen?

nation watch Friday, 12 October 2012 02:33 AM

The government may have defeated FUTA in this one. But in the end they have lost the vote of sri lankan academics and academics in positions of influence. This may be the beginning of something far more insidious that no amount of military training for university entrants can quell. This is what happens when people are too greedy for power and think they are above everything. It is only a matter of time.

nation watch Friday, 12 October 2012 02:27 AM

The government may have defeated FUTA in this one. But in the end they have lost the vote of sri lankan academics and academics in positions of influence. This may be the beginning of something far more insidious that no amount of military training for university entrants can quell. This is what happens when people are too greedy for power and think they are above everything. It is only a matter of time.

Marx Friday, 12 October 2012 02:34 AM

Offer executive and management training programs for public and private sector, not just academic things something worthwhile to do, you earn and spend, be more entrepreneurial than waiting for public funds.
Don't be shame again, learn a lesson and go from here. Be smart than begging, don't teach them to your students to beg and do strikes and picketing on roads asking jobs. Work hard, be united, work for people, disadvantage people, be with people and industry, you will be amazed with what you get...

UP Friday, 12 October 2012 02:31 AM

Thanks for Basil intelligently intervene this matter .

hb Friday, 12 October 2012 02:41 AM

Sri Lanka already doesn't have enough lecturers. Many of the lecturers who are frustrated with the govt will start leaving the country soon. SB and the government ministers will then have another opportunity to brand them as traitors for leaving the motherland after being educated for free.

We are definitely heading on the right path to become the miracle of asia.

izaawa Friday, 12 October 2012 02:52 AM

You selfish fool, do not deserve to graduate. Lectures have done their best for the public interest. Can they go on srike for ever without salaries and sacrificing A/L marking etc til government give 6%. Be realistic

Kandula Friday, 12 October 2012 03:26 AM

The so called joint opposition and its sponsors must be disappointed. .

R.Suntha Friday, 12 October 2012 03:35 AM

Are they all from Oxford-Home of lost causes.Unfortunate outcome.

Saman Thursday, 11 October 2012 11:45 PM

A great decision !! for the sake of students. Yes, even if you continue the strike you are going to get nothing unless the govt could get a another huge loan for China.

ind Friday, 12 October 2012 03:49 AM

Not every student. Only IUSF students participate this.

ind Friday, 12 October 2012 03:56 AM

Those educated people got such a long time to understand that ! Are they really intellectuals ??

san Friday, 12 October 2012 03:57 AM

forever ungrateful..

Bulath Friday, 12 October 2012 03:55 AM

People should not forget these pundits asking money from Gov. means asking from People..(us)

matara Friday, 12 October 2012 04:39 AM

Very sad, people still dont understand why we should invest more on education. Lectures know how to teach their children. they can teach theirs childrends in private institutions. What about poor people.

Ronnie Wade Friday, 12 October 2012 04:52 AM

Our ever suffering prolateriat brothers and sisters take desperate strike action to get an extra quid from their bosses.

Never thought these Dons are as desperate as them.

Lakwisi Friday, 12 October 2012 05:11 AM

Businessmen knows Education, Health and Transport very good business to make money and very easy. Already Health sector, and Transport sectors already under them. They want to make this Education as well, what will happen to Middle class and poor people in Sri Lanka. I don't know why People can't understand the situation. Fool people. These politicians elected by these fool people, therefore i think better let it go.

sam Friday, 12 October 2012 05:23 AM

You do not see politicos wasting all the money earned by people. You havd a problem when people with PhDs ask for a salary to match at least close to their qualifications.

Matalan Friday, 12 October 2012 06:05 AM

Listen Professors, Lecturers, Students, Farmers, Doctors, Lawyers, Workers and Clergy - At the end This Government will always come through Victorious. Why? Because we've got used to being Suckers and we can't stop voting for this Govt.

Tissa Friday, 12 October 2012 08:22 AM

I HAVE TO RAISE A VERY IMPORTANT QUESTION. .IF THE STUDENTS INVITE FUTA TO JOIN ONE OF THEIR PAA GAMANA WILL THEY JOIN?

Me Saturday, 13 October 2012 01:52 AM

FUTA , though the TU action suspended at this crucial juncture in good faith thinking the students, specially A/L paper marking, it will not hesitate to resume the TU action if promised demand
are not met. Those who criticize FUTA have no any idea how hard FUTA has work.

.

fusa Thursday, 11 October 2012 12:00 AM

finaly what a thing to say... do they realy worry abt students..... thr aim was diffefrnt.. selfish via DM Android App

To : Thursday, 11 October 2012 12:00 AM

FUTA became HUTA for students via DM Android App

prasad Thursday, 11 October 2012 12:28 PM

Oh really !!!!!
Then ask not to give the salary hike also and negotiate a full settlement.

Api nodanna lecturers !! You was just waiting for your salary hike and you dont care about 6% GDP on education, which is your main tag line.

Don't fool people !!!

Ara Thursday, 11 October 2012 12:00 AM

See this is a one of wrost strike.so pls stop this kind of bulshit.and back to work. How many student suffer of this problems. Unfair so even student also pls stop this and asking to go for work dont innvole like this pikating. All re liar.
via DM Android App

Gotabhaya Thursday, 11 October 2012 12:38 PM

"suspending the strike action was due to the difficulties faced by students"

Forever Undergradute Thursday, 11 October 2012 12:43 PM

Well the cat is out of the bag.. and silly FUTA has shown their true intentions. they were only hiding behind 6% and hoodwinking the public.

I would have sat my final exam last month but i will need to spend another 3-4 months. plans of graduting in 2012 all down the drain.

we haven't had lectures since first week of June thats more than 120+ of productivity lost :/

Forever Undergradute Thursday, 11 October 2012 12:50 PM

forget 6%... Silly FUTA has wasted about 10% of our time (4 months/44 months)

saman Thursday, 11 October 2012 12:46 PM

Good!, After three months, academics suddenly feel students difficulties

sack Thursday, 11 October 2012 12:52 PM

dumb thing to say and dumb thing to do...

Aney Machang Thursday, 11 October 2012 12:55 PM

FUTA please do not resort to this again, everyone is facing problems today.

Please protect the noble Profession chosen by you all in the best interests of the Students.

ranathunga Thursday, 11 October 2012 12:59 PM

Govt can't earn money via investing education, so you should take care of students life

ANTON Thursday, 11 October 2012 01:07 PM

HUTA !!!

Sumithi Thursday, 11 October 2012 12:18 PM

Students will be Dissatisfied too.. Otherwise why did the students went on Paa Gaman? For this?
Dont start things that you cant Finish...

Ranil Thursday, 11 October 2012 01:44 PM

Very sad to hear & Nothing is getting clicked for me to get popular.

meranchi Thursday, 11 October 2012 02:11 PM

huuu... huuuu..... huuuu......iii

Kondebendapucheena Thursday, 11 October 2012 03:06 PM

what a waste of valubale time of our children Campues life

das Thursday, 11 October 2012 03:49 PM

Get used to it. You will spend many more months at home jobless after graduating.

Aiyo Thursday, 11 October 2012 04:20 PM

What a Joke

paka Thursday, 11 October 2012 05:54 PM

They felt it before, that's why they were in a strike

ling Thursday, 11 October 2012 06:06 PM

There you go for those opportunities, try next time.

Gayan Samarasekara Thursday, 11 October 2012 06:36 PM

It was felt in advance. Academics don't want to trouble the students. Intention was to trouble the government, pressure the government towards the actions on safeguarding the free education and that's all. Students are innocent.

Dammika Thursday, 11 October 2012 10:59 PM

This is the most wasteful strike done in Sri Lanka. FUTA did not know what it was asking for by putting the 6% GDP demand. There cannot be a universal figure like 6% applicable for all countries because they are at different levels of development. They were asking for an additional of Rs 240 billion whereas the present expenditure on high education is Rs. 120 billion per annum. Due to this unrealistic demand they had to surrender.

Ravindra Thursday, 11 October 2012 11:09 PM

They are now saying they care for the students. They showed how ruthless they are by taking AL students to ransom. The public will never forgive you.

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FUTA calls off strike

Comments - 47

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