Union Members at Aspen Hospitals Vote on Potential Industrial Action

Members of the Aspen-managed Ba and Lautoka hospitals have participated in a secret ballot regarding potential industrial action. John Paul, the national secretary of the Construction, Energy, Timber, Workers Union of Fiji (CETWUF), informed local media that a list of demands was submitted to Aspen Medical earlier this year. Notably, the secret ballot did not include participation from nurses and doctors.

With a membership of around 200 individuals working at the Aspen facilities, the union is advocating for improvements in working conditions and salary increases. Mr. Paul expressed concerns about ongoing delays in payment for union members over the years, emphasizing that these conditions have not seen any improvements despite their efforts to address them.

The union’s decision to conduct a secret ballot stemmed from their frustration, with members seeking to expedite negotiations with Aspen regarding their grievances. The ballot is aimed at compelling Aspen to engage in discussions and address the log of claims put forth by the union representatives.

In response, a spokesperson from Health Care (Fiji) Pty Ltd highlighted their commitment to maintaining open communication with CETWUF and ensuring that members receive competitive terms and conditions. They reassured that patient welfare and team support remain their top priorities and mentioned the implementation of contingency plans to minimize any service disruptions in the event of strike action.

This situation highlights the ongoing challenge of ensuring fair working conditions in the healthcare sector, and it reflects the workers’ determination to seek improvements. Stakeholders involved will hopefully arrive at a resolution that recognizes the contributions of these essential workers while maintaining quality care for patients.

In summary, the secret ballot for industrial action underscores the growing concerns among union members at Aspen-managed facilities regarding their working conditions and compensation, prompting hopes for improved negotiations moving forward.