CEBEU escalates trade union action to ‘Level 2’

By Ifham Nizam

The Ceylon Electricity Board Engineers Union (CEBEU) would escalate its non-cooperation campaign to what it calls level 2 today.

A senior CEBEU member told The Island yesterday that their campaign was against the incumbent General Manager of the CEB and would continue till their demands were met.

He said that members including Additional General Managers should not cooperate with the incumbent GM, CEB.

The Union’s Joint Secretary has asked members to attend urgent meetings on security issues and restoring power supply to institutions such as hospitals.

“It is strictly advised to comply with COVID-19 guidelines and attend the COVID related matters to mitigate the spread of the pandemic. Members are also requested to inform all other members in their unit/branch of the above and also to be in communication with their channel/Area Rep,” he added.

The CEBEU members including Additional General Managers have been told by the union not to have written or verbal communications with the incumbent GM under any circumstances.

Members including Additional General Managers have also been told not to abide by any circulars or carry out any instructions issued by the incumbent GM on any matters violating all administrative and engineering practices, safety rules, operating manuals, code of ethics of engineers and provisions of Sri Lanka Engineering Council Act including Trade Union Ordinance.

The Union Joint Secretary’s special note states: “Members, including Additional General Managers, shall not participate in any kind of Committees/meetings convened or attended by the incumbent GM, CEB.

“All Members including Additional General Managers shall not participate in any kind of functions/ceremonies if such things are convened or attended by the incumbent GM, CEB.

“All Members, including Additional General Managers, shall not participate in any kind of interviews if chaired or attended by the incumbent GM, CEB.

“All Members, including Additional General Managers, shall not facilitate or communicate with any external or internal parties if such parties are appointed or directed by the incumbent GM, CEB even for official matters.”

In addition to the actions already declared under the non-cooperation campaign against the Chairman, CEB should continue their trade union action,a senior engineer added.