SLIATE union begins strike over longstanding issues

Colombo, April 23 (Daily Mirror) - The Academics’ Union of the Sri Lanka Institute of Advanced Technological Education has decided to launch trade union action from today after more than 15 years of unsuccessful attempts to resolve longstanding issues through discussions with relevant authorities.

The union said key demands include revision and increase of academic allowance, higher payments for visiting lecturers, increase in examination-related payments including paper setting, marking and supervisory duties, and resolution of promotion-related issues affecting academic staff.

SLIATE, under the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, operates 19 Advanced Technological Institutes (ATIs) islandwide, serving over 27,000 students. The institution has more than 200 permanent academics and over 300 visiting lecturers.

The union noted that although SLIATE academics have qualifications comparable to university lecturers, they continue to receive significantly lower salaries and benefits.

Meanwhile, prolonged delay in addressing these concerns, along with increased workloads and rising cost of living, has led to growing dissatisfaction and affected staff morale and professional well-being.

As part of the trade union action, academic staff will refrain from conducting lectures and withdraw from additional academic and administrative duties beyond core responsibilities.

The union expressed regret over inconvenience caused to students and warned that further trade union action will be considered if concerns remain unresolved. It also urged authorities to take immediate steps to address the concerns in the interest of the country’s higher education sector.