This one union is the latest troublespot in the trade union fraternity.

The situation is tense as heavy artillery has been called in to lend support to the two opposing sides threatening to split the union right down the middle.

Union money of up to several thousands of dollars, a post and the constitution are contentious issues in the mix.

There is a suggestion that mediation is the way to go.

But one group is not having a bar of it and pushing for a date with the court.

Fair go for workers

Unions cannot complain that their members are not being given a fair go.

Take for example this civil servant who was suspended without pay on August 25, 2015.

The administrative officer was accused of insubordination, failure to act with care and diligence and failure to declare and take steps to avoid conflict of interest.

The civil servant contended that it had taken longer than the stipulated three months for the ministry to decide.  In fact, nothing had been decided when Employment Relations Tribunal ruled that she be compensated for the 11 months she was suspended.

She has now received her pay for that period but waiting to hear whether her services will be needed.

WAF initiative launch

The Water Authority of Fiji will officially launch the Rain Water Harvesting and Free Water Tank Schemes today.

The event will take place at the Tobuniqio village in Tailevu, at 3pm.

The Fijian Government has allocated $1.3million for the Free Water Tank Scheme and $4.5million for the Rain Water Harvesting scheme.

WAF is working closely with Government to distribute 5000litre water tanks to the already successful applicants under the Free Water Tank Scheme, with a total of 325 villages entitled to apply.

Under the Rain Water Harvesting scheme, Fijians facing water problems in both rural and urban intermittent supply areas are also eligible to apply for free water tanks, with a total of 2658 applications having been received so far.

Kudos to those involved in these important Government initiatives, implemented by WAF, to ensure that all Fijians have access to clean water and sanitation for a better life.

– Coconut Wireless is compiled by Maraia Vula, with contributions from Nemani Delaibatiki and Ms Vula.

Feedback:  maraia.vula@fijisun.com.fj