Six trade unions of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation have given an ultimatum to Minister of Petroleum and Petroleum resource development, A. H. M. Fowzie to schedule an appointment with President Mahinda Rajapaksa before March 31 to discuss their grievances on delayed salary increments.

The unions, namely CPC Common Services Union, two Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya unions of the CPC and Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Limited, Executive union, Petroleum Industrial Employees and All Ceylon oil workers unions, yesterday handed over a letter to Minister Fowzie in this regard. It said:

"On March 11 2009, you informed the Unions that the Ministry did not object to the salary increment recommended by the Board. You also informed us that you will get an appointment with President to discuss about our salary increment. We note that a week has lapsed and you could not keep the promise," it said. "We believe that the government would give us an appointment to discuss about our salary increments."

However, CPC Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya, Secretary, Ananda Palitha said according to the Board’s recommendation, the Corporation does not need government assistance to pay its staff. Both CPC and CPC Storage Terminal Limited (CPCSTL) were able to pay the salary increment.

"This increment is given to us every three years. The staff has been looking forward to this increment," Palitha said.

He said that six leading trade unions with 7,000 workers belonging to both CPC and CPCSTL are prepared to take stern trade union actions if the government fails to give its ultimate decision on salary increment for CPC workers.