The strike led by over 100 members of the Fiji Public Service Association (FPSA) which had disrupted various services, including post offices and manual telephone exchanges, is nearing resolution. The strike had been launched due to issues concerning pay and job classifications. However, significant progress is reported from recent discussions involving the Public Service Commission, the FPSA, and the Labour Department.
These extensive negotiations, which began at 10 a.m and ended late in the evening, witnessed both parties engaging in a constructive dialogue. As part of their grievances, FPSA had raised the demand for a job evaluation for Posts and Telecommunications staff. The dialogue made substantial headway on this issue. But there was one outstanding issue related to a special clause favoring the evaluation of education officers in the Public Service Commission’s offer.
Though the strike has caused disruptions in different sectors, including education officers, secretaries, and typists, Emori Naqova, the Director of Telecommunications, noted his contentment with the performance of automatic telephone systems and underlined the need for public tolerance during this testing period.
The Ministry of Labour, buoyed by the progress in the talks, expresses optimism about a potential settlement. The former principal labour officer, Varma Nand, confirmed that verbal agreements are in place, subject to approval by FPSA members. The prevailing atmosphere of amicability during the negotiations suggests a mutual willingness to resolve the dispute.