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General news >> Tuesday September 02, 2008
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Unions to strike across country [SIZE=-1]
Water, electricity and other supplies to be cut[/SIZE]
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Forty-three state enterprise labour unions have agreed to stage strikes and cut public utility services nationwide from tomorrow as part of a campaign to force the government out of office.
Sawit Kaewwan, secretary-general of the State Enterprise Labour Relations Confederation, said the unions will cut water and electricity supplies mainly to agencies dealing with security, such as the police, targetting provincial police offices.
Telephone lines to government agencies and the houses of cabinet ministers will also be disconnected.
The confederation also agreed that measures will be put in place to delay the arrival and departure times of Thai Airways International flights nationwide.
About 80% of city buses will stop running, but northern and northeastern train services resumed yesterday.
A union representative told the meeting the Government Saving Bank's 7,500 staff will also follow the confederation's resolution, he said.
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</td> </tr> <tr> <td>State railway officials, police and vendors manoeuvre a train down a side track to clear the main line after it was abandoned yesterday by members of the railway labour union at Nakhon Ratchasima station, blocking the northeastern line. Services resumed after talks. — PRASIT TANGPRASERT</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
Mr Sawit, also a core leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy, said the plan to cut public utility services was in response to the use of force against PAD supporters.
Sirichai Mai-ngam, president of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand's labour union, said the confederation's announcement was not only a threat, but would be put into action.
Mr Sirichai, also a key PAD member, said the moves by the labour unions were intended to protect the interests of the nation, and were not for the benefit of state enterprise workers.
The confederation has 43 state enterprise labour unions with more than 200,000 members, Mr Sirichai said.
"Today is our D-Day. We have given them [the government] many chances.
"If the government does not resign, we will continue our operations until it quits," Mr Sawit said.
Boonma Pongma, vice-president of the BMTA's union, said there will be only 800 free red-cream buses left to serve Bangkok commuters, or about 20% of the whole fleet.
Somsak Manop, vice-president of Thai Airways International's union, said the union will delay the arrival and departure times of THAI aircraft and will reduce the number of flights.
Thammarat Ramkwan, president of the Provincial Waterworks Authority's union, said the union will initially cut water supplies to police stations across the country.
Phien Yongnoo, president of the Metropolitan Electricity Authority's labour union, said the union was considering cutting off the power supply to help the PAD pressure the government.
However, the power supply cut would be applied to government agencies whose bills were overdue by one month.
"We will hold a discussion to consider whether the cut-off period could be shorter than one month. It should be one week or whatever. We will do everything to achieve our goal of pressuring the government," he said.
However, at least three labour unions from state-run banks disagreed with the planned strike.
Kusol Boonklom, president of the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Co-operatives' labour union, said members of the BAAC union needed to discuss the planned strike among themselves first.
Natthapat Yimyai, president of the Government Savings Bank's labour union, said his members had varying views on whether to join the strike.
Somsak Boonthong, chairman of the SRT's board, said the board is considering whether to resign following the stoppages by railway workers.
"The move by the SRT union to stop rail services was wrong, so we are considering resigning and taking responsibility," he said. The board is expected to make a decision in two days, he said.
Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej called an urgent meeting yesterday to discuss the union stance with leaders of the People Power party.
PM's Office Minister Chusak Sirinil said the prime minister stressed the importance of legal means to deal with the protesters.
Meanwhile, northern and northeastern train services resumed yesterday after hundreds of railway workers went on strike last week and paralysed the country's rail system.
In Nakhon Ratchasima province, State Railway of Thailand governor Yutthana Sapcharoen held talks with railway workers and persuaded them to cancel the strike.
The first northeastern train, on the Nakhon Ratchasima-Surin route, left at 6pm, while northeastern-bound services from Bangkok were expected to resume last night.
In Phuket, the PAD denied any involvement in the Aug 29-31 blockade of Phuket international airport.
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UNIONS MOBILISE
Forty-three state enterprise labour unions are threatening action against the government, starting tomorrow.
- Metropolitan Electricity Authority and Provincial Electricity Authority:
Cut off the power supply to state agencies, including police and provincial halls. The unions say households are unlikely to be affected.
- Metropolitan Waterworks Authority, Provincial Waterworks Authority:
Stop the water supply to state agencies, starting with police nationwide.
- Thai Airways Union:
Cause delays to THAI flights.
- Bangkok Mass Transit Authority:
Suspend 80% of bus services. Only 800 buses will be available in the city and will be free of charge. Free bus rides to the PAD sites.
- TOT Plc:
Cut off telephone lines to cabinet ministers' residences and government agencies.
- Government Savings Bank:
About 7,500 staff plan to take leave from Wednesday.
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the peasants have already spoken. does SDP understand or have they really think they have connected to the ground?
