An informal mediation scheduled for tomorrow will determine whether a potential industrial strike by workers of the Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) will take place. Representatives from the Construction Energy and Timber Workers Union of Fiji (CETWUF), the Ministry of Employment, and the FRA will participate in the meeting.
On September 3, CETWUF announced that its members had voted in favor of possibly taking strike action due to limited salary increments granted to only a few workers and other unresolved issues outlined in a log of claims. The union indicated that the FRA has been selective in awarding salary increases and has not implemented cost-of-living adjustments since 2017.
CETWUF highlighted concerns about the government’s decision to remove contract-based positions within civil service departments, particularly noting that government-funded organizations in the construction sector should not follow this practice. Additionally, they pointed out that the FRA has been without a full-time CEO since the previous CEO’s resignation.
Union national president John Paul stated that there has been a stalemate in negotiations with the FRA concerning the log of claims. He mentioned that the FRA has shown no flexibility in discussions, prompting the union to hold a secret ballot, granting them a mandate to pursue legal action if necessary. However, Paul emphasized that a strike would be an option of last resort as the union seeks to resolve the issues through mediation.
Paul also noted that over 100 union members are currently employed by the FRA. In response, FRA board chairman Atunaisa Nayago acknowledged the negotiation deadlock and reiterated the authority’s commitment to addressing the concerns professionally, citing the Employment Relations Act 2007 as the appropriate framework for dispute resolution.
Nayago expressed a preference for resolving the impasse within this structured mechanism rather than through public statements, which could lead to misinformation and unnecessary public concern. He encouraged continued dialogue with the union to achieve a fair resolution.