The Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations, Honourable Parveen Kumar Bala, declared yesterday (20/03/19) that the conduct of the Fiji Airports Air Traffic Management (ATM) workers constitutes an unlawful strike in accordance with the Employment Relations Act 2007 (Act).
From 18-20 March, a total of 33 ATM controllers have taken various forms of leave while demanding increases to their pay from Airports Fiji Limited (AFL) Management. The Minister stated that the worker’s coordinated and continued refusal to attend work, along with the demands put forward by the workers, are clear indications that a strike is underway.
Under the Act, this conduct amounts to an unlawful strike given no notice of secret ballot was provided to the Registrar of Trade Unions for a strike mandate. Participation in the strike therefore constitutes an offence.
The Honourable Minister for Employment encouraged both parties to continue to dialogue in good faith and to resolve their grievances amicably.