12 Jul 2007

Four of six Fiji public sector unions still plan to strike

8:58 am on 12 July 2007

Four out of six public sector unions in Fiji say they still plan to take strike action against a 5% pay cut and the lowering of the retirement age from 60 years to 55.

The Fiji Nurses Association has broken ranks with the two other unions in the Confederation of Public Sector Unions which signed an agreement with the interim administration on Tuesday night and withdrew their strike notice.

The Nurses Association general secretary, Kuini Lutua, says they want all measures taken by the interim government reversed and their pay fully restored by next month.

Mrs Lutua says nurses are always serious when they talk about industrial action and they will walk out at midnight on July the 24th unless their grievances are resolved.

Meanwhile, the three public sector unions aligned with the Fiji Islands Council of Trade Unions stress that their strike notice remains in force.

The Fijian Teachers Association, the Public Employees Union and the Viti National Union of Taukei Workers have rejected the government's offer signed by two unions on Tuesday but remain in talks with the government.