More than 100 Fiji Roads Authority workers could go on strike according to the Construction Energy and Timber Workers Union of Fiji, FRA has not engaged in further negotiations to increase their pay by 15 percent since last year.
Union National Secretary John Paul says last year’s log of claims of 15 percent has not been settled and they have submitted another claim of 6 percent last month.
While speaking to fijivillage News, Paul says the worker’s pay will need to be reviewed every year.
He says the Union still holds the mandate to take industrial action if they do not come to the table and negotiate.
The National Secretary says after getting the mandate from the workers to go on a strike, the Ministry of Employment had intervened and mediation was held where FRA had attended two sessions but were told during the third meeting that they want to consult their line Minister.
He says FRA had filed a dispute which got rejected as the mediation was still underway and they have now filed an appeal against the decision of the Permanent Secretary.
Paul says this appeal has no impact on the mediation process as FRA has an issue with the decision of the Permanent Secretary while they still have to undertake the mediation process.
He says the moral of the workers are low and many of them have not been given any improvement in their salary structure and working conditions.
When questioned on when the workers propose to go on a strike, the National Secretary says they are trying to be a reasonable union and not have work affected as the public will suffer.
While responding to questions by fijivillage News, FRA says this matter is presently before the Employment Relations Tribunal and they would not like to make any comments while the matter is before a court.
The matter is listed to be called on 3rd March, 2025.
