|
TRAWU endorses strike by railways` employees
2008-03-05 09:18:11
By Perege Gumbo
The central committee of the Tanzania Railways Association of Workers Union (TRAWU) has endorsed an impending strike by Tanzania Railway Limited (TRL) workers in the country.
The 12-member committee from Tanzania Railways Limited (TRL) and Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) unanimously voted in favour of staging a strike to put pressure on TRL management to pay its workers the minimum wage announced by the government last year.
Speaking to journalists on Monday, TRAWU secretary general Sylivester Rwegasira said the central committee approved staging of a strike by TRL workers should the management not fulfil their demand in time.
``The central committee convened to, among other things, evaluate the ongoing up-country balloting on whether members are ready to strike or not, and to discuss the union`s stand on the matter,`` he said.
He said so far all branches whose members had cast ballots in the regions had endorsed the strike, adding that only three branches were yet to submit their results.
``So far 99.5 per cent of TRL workers are ready to take part in the strike to push for new wages,`` he said.
Rwegasira said they would give the employer a 48-hour notice before they embark on the strike.
``However, there is still enough time for the employer and the government to meet the employees and reach a consensus,`` he said.
The government owns 41 per cent and TRL 59 per cent shares in the railway company.
He called on the workers to continue working and respect the law, adding that the envisaged strike would be lawful and well coordinated and transparent to avoid inconveniences.
|
