Trade union action commenced on November 14 by the trade unions in the postal sector boycotting overtime duties and demanding the removal of the Post Master General which led to the accumulation of more than a million undelivered letters and parcels up to yesterday 15, at the Central Mail Exchange.

One thousand mail bags containing 700,000 letters, 300,000 registered letters and thousands of parcels had accumulated unattended at the Central Mail Exchange, postal sources revealed.

Showing solidarity with the union action the employees of Showing solidarity with the union action the employees of all the post offices islandwide abstained from performing overtime duties from 12.00 noon on November 15 and only engaged in normal duties all the post offices islandwide abstained from performing overtime duties from 12.00 noon on November 15 and only engaged in normal duties; Chinthaka Bandara of the Joint Federation of Postal Services Union said.this action had resulted in the breakdown of postal services by about 90% in the whole island.

This lightning trade union action had led to the break down in delivery of letters etc., from the mail exchange to outstation areas and collection of letters routed via the central mail exchange.

A discussion was held by the secretary of the Ministry of Postal Services Hemasiri Fernando and the representatives of the Postal Trade Union Federation yesterday evening.this discussion ended abruptly as the secretary informed the unions that he was not in a position to decide on this matter and it should be resolved at a meeting with Minister Jeewan Kumaratunga, Chinthaka Bandara further said, and affirmed that the trade union action and the fast would continue until the issues are resolved..

In the meantime a special discussion was scheduled for November 17 with the Minister of Postal Services and the trade union representatives.

Source: Daily Mirror - Sri Lanka