The Construction, Energy and Timber Workers Union of Fiji (CETWUF) is in the process of preparing a notice to conduct secret ballot for strike action against Energy Fiji Limited.
Union Secretary John Paul says there are about 500 union members employed by EFL.
Paul says they will formally notify both EFL and the Registrar of Trade Unions about the resolution passed by their delegates this week.
The Secretary says this decision follows EFL's continued refusal to negotiate the Union's Log of Claims for 2024 and 2025.
He says that despite repeated efforts by the union to engage in good faith, EFL has insisted on forcing negotiations on the outstanding Collective Agreement instead.
Paul says proper process is to first address and negotiate urgent matter in the Union's Log of Claims for 2024 and 2025.
He says that in 2023, the union settled a 12 percent increase in salary and wages which was based on the Unions Log of Claims from 2016 and thereafter claims for 2024 and 2025 remains unresolved.
The Secretary says they are also concerned by indications that the former CEO of EFL, now acting as a consultant, is influencing current management decisions, including those relating to industrial relations.
Paul adds that this raises serious questions about the genuine independence and intent of EFL's current leadership in resolving these matters.
EFL is yet to respond to our questions.
