NUW outline concerns of Fiji Water workers

The National Union of Workers members working for Fiji Water have recently voted as required by the Employment Relations Act to take industrial action in support of pending issues.

NUW General Secretary Felix Anthony said these issues are currently pending, and are subject to negotiations for some time now.

The issues are:

1. The Union log of claims for the years 2023 and 2024, which includes Cost of Living Adjustments and other terms and conditions of employment.
2. The Employer’s failure to prepare shift rosters in compliance with the Law and failure to pay overtime work. This is a matter that’s been pending since 2018.
3. The Employers’ failure to negotiate and reach an agreement on a shift allowance. Currently, there is no shift allowance.
4. Transport arrangements for employees required to work overtime before and after their normal shift. This is important considering the location of the factory at a remote location without regular public transport.
5. The Employers’ failure to negotiate and conclude a job review. With the automation of the factory over some time and more recently, the nature of jobs has changed.
6. The Employers’ decision to employ casuals on a rotation basis for permanent jobs on individual contracts on terms and conditions that are discriminatory and in breach of the Collective Agreement between the Union and the Company.

Anthony said parties have met on numerous occasions and were close to an agreement when talks broke down last month.

He said union members have grown impatient and called for action without delay.

“The Union have exercised patience and given as much time as possible to resolve all the outstanding issues even to the extent of running out the first mandate to take industrial action by members.”

“This necessitated a second ballot for a mandate to take Industrial Action. Unfortunately, the Union has been forced to take action in an attempt to expedite a resolution,” Anthony said.

NUW General Secretary highlighted that the union remains prepared to enter into negotiations to find an amicable resolution.

Anthony said initial talks are scheduled for midday today between the Union via Zoom with Management from the Suva Office and their US counterparts.

“It is not envisaged that negotiations will commence at this initial meeting. We remain concerned that some in Management are actively encouraging workers to resign from the Union.”

“Members are determined to continue the protest for as long as is necessary,” Anthony added.