More Air Terminal Services (ATS) workers who went on strike almost three weeks ago have expressed their intention to return to work at the Nadi International Airport.

ATS chief executive officer Hare Mani said that as of Tuesday afternoon, a total of 26 people had returned after signing the letter stating that they had done wrong in walking off their jobs on December 16.

Those who returned to work have joined management and staff not on strike in maintaining groundhandling services for international airlines using Nadi International Airport.

Mr Mani said workers had to think about the start of school on January 15.

“School is about to start and I feel for the workers who have children that they need to prepare for the new academic year,” he said.

Mr Mani said that no mediation was held yesterday between the ATS management and the leaders of the Air Terminal Services Employees Trust and the Federated Airline Staff Association and was mediated by the Ministry of Labour and Industrial Relations.

“We are going to look at some other avenues that we can address and discuss these issues so we can have a resolution soon,” he said.

“We will have to meet as management and with the Board to discuss further.”

Meanwhile, politician Lynda Tabuya has started a collection of funds for the striking workers through an online drive and has received support from those who have been following the strike, both here and overseas.

Edited by Rusita Mataika