The Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) has filed an appeal against the Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations for rejecting its application concerning the Construction, Energy and Timber Workers Union of Fiji (CETWUF) strike. FRA board chairman Atunaisa Nayago confirmed this development last week.
Nayago stated, “The FRA’s stance is we will go into informal mediation.” He added that the situation will ultimately be brought to a formal dispute forum, and they are currently awaiting a response from the Permanent Secretary for Employment regarding their appeal.
CETWUF national secretary John Paul mentioned that union members conducted a secret ballot in September, which demonstrated their support for industrial action if management continued to remain unresponsive. He criticized the management for not adequately addressing critical claims concerning contracts and pay increases despite discussions.
Paul noted that the union provided a timeline for the FRA chair to consult with its line minister. He criticized the FRA for filing a dispute against the union instead of participating in mediation, labeling it as an unfounded complaint. The union’s members are prepared to pursue strike action, emphasizing concerns about high turnover and the improper hiring practices within the organization.
“There are many workers in senior positions assigned to acting roles for over a year without confirmation, while the employer seeks to hire externally, which raises questions about the recruitment process,” Paul added. He called for an investigation into these practices.
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