The chairman of the Fiji Roads Authority (FRA), Atunaisa Nayago, has stated that the FRA is willing to address issues with the Construction, Energy, Timber Workers Union of Fiji (CETWUF) through legal channels.
In a statement issued today, Nayago mentioned the ongoing dispute but refrained from providing specific details, referencing recent claims made by the union which have stated that discussions have reached a “deadlock.” He emphasized the Employment Relations Act 2007, which outlines a structured mechanism for resolving disputes fairly and effectively. Nayago expressed a preference for utilizing this framework to navigate the current stalemate, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the integrity of both parties involved.
He criticized the practice of resolving disputes through public statements, stating that it is neither constructive nor professional. Nayago cautioned that airing grievances in the media could be seen as an attempt to intimidate or coerce the opposing party, detracting from a positive resolution.
His comments followed a press release from CETWUF dated September 3, signed by national secretary John Paul, which indicated that there was overwhelming support among FRA union members for potential strike action. Paul pointed out that despite the FRA being established in 2012 and receiving over $4 billion in government funding, it has lacked proper salary structures and performance management systems.
Paul raised concerns about the FRA’s handling of salary increments and alleged that management has not addressed the union’s requests for salary increases that align with cost-of-living adjustments, which have not been implemented since 2017. He further noted that while the Coalition Government eliminated contract-based appointments in the civil service, the FRA has not followed suit, especially amidst a significant labor shortage in the construction sector.
Additionally, the union recently conducted a secret ballot for strike action, supervised by officials from the Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations, at FRA worksites nationwide. Paul also warned the public to expect disruptions in FRA operations in the upcoming months due to the ongoing conflict between the union and the FRA.