Unions’ stand firm as postal strike cripple services

The postal strike has entered its fifth day, with unions standing firm that they will not return to talks unless authorities agree to address their demands.   
United Postal Trade Unions’ Front co-convener Chinthaka Bandara said neither the subject Minister nor the Postmaster General has held discussions with them so far. He stressed that while both officials had urged unions to end the strike before negotiations, workers are unwilling to do so.   
The strike, launched on August 17, is based on 19 key demands including salary anomalies and administrative issues. Bandara revealed that nearly 1.7 million letters and parcels are now lying idle at post offices across the country as the dispute drags on.   
Meanwhile, Subject Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa told parliament yesterday that the government is ready for talks with the Trade Unions on seventeen demands if they agree on finger print and overtime policies.   
He said overtime rates have already been increased for all public sector employees and that finger print is vital for overtime payments.