18 Dec 2017

Discussions ongoing to resolve Fiji airline services dispute

6:53 pm on 18 December 2017

Discussions have continued in Fiji to resolve a dispute which has affected airline services out of the country.

Local media report meetings have been held today between the management of Air Terminal Services and ATS workers.

Fiji Village reports about 100 workers were locked out of their workplace and had gathered outside.

The government says the workers with Air Terminal Services were involved in an illegal strike at the weekend although the union leader Felix Anthony described the situation as a lockout.

A Fiji Airways plane

A Fiji Airways plane Photo: Supplied

The government earlier issued a statement saying no secret ballot was carried out before the initiation of the strike as required by law.

The workers have a 49 percent stake in ATS which provides ground handling services at Fiji's main international airport in Nadi.

The remaining 51 percent of the company is owned by the Fiji government.

Mr Anthony told the Fiji Times the workers attended a shareholders meeting on Saturday because they were frustrated with the way the company was being run and it was costing them money.

According to him, the workers don't have a say at board level despite owning 49 percent of shares.

Fiji Airways and Air New Zealand at Nadi International Airport

Fiji Airways and Air New Zealand at Nadi International Airport Photo: Alex Perrottet/RNZ

About 300 workers were reportedly camped outside the ATS headquarters on Sunday.

Fiji Airways has recommended people eat before they board or bring food on flights out of Nadi.

It said its catering services were still being affected by the action taken by air terminal employees.

It said it's trying to source alternative catering, although beverages would be available.

Get the RNZ app

for ad-free news and current affairs