STATE OF EMERGENCY
Demand PM Samak's immediate resignation
POST REPORTERS
Widespread disruption of public services is expected today as state enterprise labour unions have confirmed they will down tools to press for the resignation of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej.Most have promised strikes and the disruption power and water supplies to government offices, despite the declaration of a state of emergency.
Sawit Kaewwan, secretary-general of the State Enterprise Labour Relations Confederation, said Monday's resolution will not be revoked.
He said more than 300 representatives of 43 state enterprise labour unions had joined the People's Alliance for Democracy's protest rally.
If the prime minister refuses to resign, the unions will bring operations to a complete halt.
Phien Yongnoo, president of the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) labour union, sent a letter to army chief Gen Anupong Paojinda asking him to advise Mr Samak to resign and that the military take over control of the situation from the government.
MEA workers will cut off the power supply to the Defence Ministry if its demands are not met, Mr Phien said in the letter.
Somsak Manop, vice-president of the Thai Airways International labour union, said members will take retaliatory measures today in response to the government's use of force against the people.
Mr Somsak admitted this action will inevitably affect air travellers.
Kriangsak Kaengkhan, president of the State Railway of Thailand labour union, said railway workers will take turns to strike until the prime minister resigns.
The CAT Telecom labour union will block international direct dialling if Mr Samak refuses to step down today, union leader Somboon Sarpsarn said.
This would affect companies doing business with foreign countries, he said.
Somkiat Rodcharoen, president of the Port Authority of Thailand (PAT) labour union, said the union will hold its annual special meeting from 11.30am to 1pm.
During the meeting, operations at all ports under the PAT will be halted.
However, some labour unions were reported to have decided against industrial action after being lobbied by the ministers in charge.
Veerapong Wongwaen, vice-president of the Bangkok Metropolitan Transit Authority labour union, gave an assurance BMTA buses will not stop services.
''I can assure you that more than 3,000 buses will run as usual.
''They will not halt services to join the rally. We don't want to cause trouble for the public,'' Mr Veerapong said.
The BMTA labour union on Monday said members would stop 80% of the services and only 800 buses would be available in the city.
Supachai Jaisamut, spokesman for the Interior Ministry, said the governors of the four state enterprises under the ministry confirmed that their labour unions will not go in strike and will not cut water and power supplies.
Somdej Klaimak, director of the Ayutthaya provincial waterworks authority, confirmed water supply to communities, industrial plants and government agencies in the province will not be cut off.
Prasartsilp Chaturonrassamee, director of the Ayutthaya provincial electricity authority, said he cannot act on the resolution of the confederation as turning off the power would make life difficult for the public.
Suthin Klangsaeng, a Maha Sarakham MP of the People Power party, said people who are affected by strike action can take the unions to the newly established Consumer Court.
Complaints can be filed through the provincial courts.
The court was set up under the 2008 Consumer Case Procedures Act, which took effect on Aug 23.
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