The employees are demanding an eight per cent salary increase and other benefits similar to those enjoyed by their counterparts at the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation. They said under the MoU entered into at the time the storage tanks were handed over to the LIOC, the workers were entitled to similar facilities and privileges enjoyed by those at CPETCO.
They accused the LIOC administration of violating the MoU and suppressing the rights of the employees.
The strikers carrying placards and banners obstructed the main entrance preventing the entry of fuel bowsers to the storage area.
Sri Lanka Independent Employees Union President Sarath Sirisena said the salary increase of eight per cent was due in June but is in arrears now.
He said the company’s Indian employees were entitled to a Rs.5 million life insurance cover, but these benefits had been denied to the Sri Lankan employees. Mr. Sirisena said the token strike was just a warning and that the workers would resort to more drastic trade union action if their demands were not granted. (Amadoru Amarajeewa)
http://www.dailymirror.lk/news/20653-token-strike-by-lioc-workers-in-trinco.html