The Registrar of Trade Unions has denied the Fiji Teachers Union’s (FTU) requests for a strike ballot on two occasions. FTU members were notified that the first application was submitted on June 11 and a second one on June 26.
According to a recent newsletter from the FTU, the initial notice for a secret ballot was officially filed on June 11 with the Registrar of Trade Unions, who also serves as the Permanent Secretary for Labour, Productivity, and Employment Relations. The union’s key issues include a 30 percent increase in salaries and allowances, as well as the employer’s failure to negotiate on the 2022 and 2023 log of claims.
After reviewing the FTU’s application, the Registrar responded on June 25, stating that the union had not yet exhausted internal dispute resolution processes, and was therefore unable to supervise the requested ballot. The FTU was encouraged to pursue internal dispute resolution and good faith bargaining as outlined in the Employment Relations Act 2007.
The reasons provided for rejecting the strike ballot did not sit well with the FTU’s working committee, prompting the union to formally contest the decision on June 26. However, on July 4, the Registrar reiterated that the application for a secret ballot would not be approved.
The FTU emphasized that if the ballot had been sanctioned, it would have been valid for six months, allowing more time for negotiations with relevant authorities. The union stressed the importance of good faith bargaining for any salary adjustments and noted that they have faced challenges in negotiation due to being sidelined over the past 16 years.
The Registrar of Trade Unions also holds the position of Permanent Secretary for Labour, Productivity, and Workplace Relations.
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