21 Dec 2017

International union steps in to Fiji dispute

4:32 pm on 21 December 2017

The International Transport Workers' Federation has called on Fiji's prime minister, Frank Bainimarama, to intervene in a dispute involving workers at the country's main international airport.

At least half the workforce remains locked out after a walkout on Saturday.

Nadi International Airport, Fiji

Nadi International Airport, Fiji Photo: RNZI/Sally Round

The Fiji Times reports the International Transport Workers' Federation had written to Mr Bainimarama asking him to intervene and protect the 250 workers embroiled in their dispute with the management of Air Terminal Services Limited.

The firm provides catering, baggage handling and engineering services at Nadi, the main gateway for tourists to Fiji.

The paper reports the federation's general secretary Stephen Cotton had called on the government to end the lockout and allow the workers to return to their jobs so that travel plans of visitors to Fiji were not disrupted.

The ITF said it had been informed workers had attended a meeting of its shareholders because they believed the company was not being managed well and "this had a very negative effect on them as workers and as shareholders."

"This included not receiving any pay rise for 11 years and a failure to address and resolve outstanding workplace grievances," the paper reported.

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