200 workers from Ba and Lautoka Hospitals will not go on strike as Construction Energy and Timber Workers Union of Fiji and Aspen Medical have reached an agreement.
Union National Secretary John Paul confirms that Aspen Medical has agreed to 13 issues on the Union’s Log of Claims during the mediation while the six remaining issues will be discussed within the next two weeks.
The Union filed its Log of Claims with Aspen early last year on behalf of its members, seeking improvements in terms and conditions of employment as well as an increase in wages and salaries.
The members had given notice two weeks ago to go on strike.
The two parties were locked in final negotiations at the Fiji Mediation Centre for the past two days.
Paul says they appreciate the intervention of the Arbitration Court and the Fiji Mediation Centre in attempting to avert the strike in the best interest of everyone, including the workers and people who access services at the two hospitals.
He says they are hopeful that Aspen Medical will be able to resolve the six outstanding matters in the Log of Claims in good faith and they hope for the dispute to be resolved soon.
Aspen Medical runs the two hospitals under a 23-year Public Private Partnership agreement, which the former government made.
