Irresponsible indeed

Tukai Lagonilakeba, Nadi

From an electrifying 2017, December 16 walkout at 1300hrs by 70 morning shift staff from the 300 plus ATSET members who are employees of Air Terminal Services, the only shocking reason given by their general secretary Viliame Finau was they had to attend a three-hour shareholders AGM, irresponsible indeed.

No prior arrangements for replacement workers or casuals to man the fort whilst being away for the duration as there were planes on the tarmac that needed to be serviced, the walkout was deliberate in nature, conspired and plotted.

Those workers with their union representatives were met with a shocking lockout on their return by the ATS Management as they went about designing a solution to normalise services resulting from the irresponsible walkout in the name of: “Fighting for our COLA with outstanding Log of Claims pending for the past 11 years”.

This resulted in seven weeks of picketing outside their workplace, but rightfully so Government did not sway and stood its ground although it granted them a permit to march in Nadi Town.

Allegations aside, Fiji Trades Union Congress affiliated union activists in Dan Urai, Felix Anthony, Rajeshwar Singh, Attar Singh, Agni Deo Singh, International Transport Workers’ Federation of Australia and New Zealand, failed politicians such as  SODELPA leader Sitiveni Rabuka, Ratu Epenisa Cakobau, Isoa Tikoca and Lynda Tabuya, Fiji Labour Party Mahendra Chaudhry, National Federation Party leader Biman Prasad, Unity Fiji Party leader Savenaca Narube with party stalwart Tui Nawaka Ratu Asaeli Driu, Ro Teimumu Kepa, the Archbishop of Fiji Peter Loy Chong and his entourage, the General Secretary of the Methodist Church of Fiji had also joined in the name of solidarity.

This week the High Court of Lautoka had thrown out Claims from the lawyers representing ATSET against Government and the ATS Board, the ATS saga was meticulously manipulated to promote the political ethos of those politicians.

Now awaiting another opportunity, they have all gone quiet undercover nowhere to be seen, but the question I ask is: How have those striking employees benefited?

Leadership class

ET Smith, Davuilevu

With everything that has been going on lately – the hate on social media, the sharing of doctored videos, the personal hate the Attorney-General faces daily, I wanted to take a moment to thank both him and Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama for showing true leadership. By not lowering their standards and responding to every idiot out there, the two have shown real class. I commend their partnership which has been the first time in Fiji’s history where two leaders have such great camaraderie.

Overlooked Players

Amenatave Yaconisau, Delainavesi

It’s a disdainful and disgusting act if Gareth Baber, the Fiji  sevens coach, overlooks the current pool of players who protected him from further shame after the debacle in Sydney. I understand his option for overseas players but it’s very disregarding. We cannot hush-up the embarrassment surrounding our sevens rugby in Sydney.

Depression definition

Wise Muavono, Lautoka

People think depression is sadness, crying or dressing in black. But people are wrong. Depression is the constant feeling of being numb.

Speaking the truth

Savenaca Vakaliwaliwa, Suva

While addressing students and parents of Naqali District School in Naitasiri last week, the Attorney-General and Education Minister stressed the importance of honesty and speaking the truth.

“Unfortunately a lot of people, even grown-ups don’t speak the truth. We can see that in the media every day now, all these politicians not speaking the truth, there’s a lot of lasulasu (lies) going on, too much,” he said.

He said it was imperative for people who held leading positions in Government and communities to be honest.

The onus now is on the Opposition forces to do something about all the anti Government so called “truths” they are spewing out to the public and in the social media.

To be branded as lasulasu (liars) by the A-G would be deemed as true if there is no response from the Opposition.

The 2018 General Elections is coming up and Fijian voters want those who lead them to be honest and stand for truth, though the heavens fall.

It would be good to have a national debate where the A-G takes on and corrects all the so-called truths the opposition has been barking out, to try and lead the people astray.

Disasters

Epeli Rabua, Suva

Two years after Cyclone Winston, the disaster continues. We continue to witness schools, houses and local infrastructure remain damaged by the Category 5 cyclone. People and children are still living and learning in tents.

And, although we admire the teachers who take up the challenge of adversity to try and educate these children, the fact remains that the government of the day have failed in their responsibility.

Cyclone Gita has just passed Fiji and we learn of the destruction in the southern Lau islands of Ono and Vatoa.

Hopefully in two years, we will not see the same disaster happening as in the case of Cyclone Winston!

Feedback:  jyotip@fijisun.com.fj