The Construction Energy & Timber Workers Union of Fiji (CETWUF) is poised to issue a 14-day strike notice directed at Aspen Medical. Union Secretary General John Paul disclosed that their membership comprises 200 workers employed at the Lautoka and Ba Aspen Hospitals. This workforce includes a diverse array of roles such as chefs, cooks, ward assistants, pharmacists, laundry and maintenance staff, ambulance drivers, security guards, cleaners, administrative personnel, and technical staff in operating theatres and diagnostic testing.
Mr. Paul indicated that the members have collectively voted in favor of striking and are prepared to take action. He emphasized the union’s sense of responsibility towards the public who rely on services from the two hospitals, which is why no immediate steps have been taken. However, he urged the community to be prepared for a potential strike, expressing that the members have grown weary of the prolonged wait for resolution.
CETWUF is calling for government intervention to prevent a strike, highlighting that their requests for salary increases based on cost-of-living adjustments have been unmet since 2017.
In summary, CETWUF is gearing up for a potential strike due to longstanding grievances regarding salary adjustments, emphasizing the urgency for government action to resolve the situation.
This situation underscores the importance of fair labor practices and the need for timely negotiations to support healthcare workers, especially in light of their crucial role in society. A constructive dialogue between the union, management, and the government could pave the way for a resolution that benefits both the workers and the community at large.
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