EFL Union Members To Take Part In Secret Ballot
Industrial strike prone by members claiming they unaware of the recent announcement of a five per cent pay increase for staff below management.
Wednesday 05 July 2023 | 15:40
The Construction Energy and Timber Workers Union of Fiji secretary John Paul and Ministry of Employment senior north labour officer Kele Qiodrau at the EFL Labasa depot on June 4, 2023. Photo: Jone Salusalu
Energy Fiji Limited (EFL) workers in Labasa, who are members of The Construction Energy and Timber Workers Union of Fiji (CETWUF), yesterday pioneered the casting of secret ballots to decide on the endorsement of an industrial strike against their employer. EFL the biggest utility provider in the nation.
The notice of secret ballot was issued to the Ministry of Employment and EFL at their head offices in Suva on June 8, 2023.
Voting began in Labasa yesterday. Statistically, about 80 per cent of workers in Vanua Levu are registered under the union, and employed at two pivotal Labasa EFL depots in addition to the Savusavu depot.
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Specific areas in the country where voting will be conducted include Navutu depot, Sigatoka depot, Kinoya depot, and Suva depot.
Workers under the union in Suva and Lautoka are expected to cast their votes tomorrow and Friday.
In a press release on Monday, EFL announced a further five per cent pay increment for its staff below the management level.
CETWUF national secretary John Paul said the union was unaware of the recent announcement by EFL of a five per cent pay increase for its staff below management and that the decision was made without consulting the union.
“Management has not made any agreement with us on this and it is not just a matter of a pay rise, the log of claims is before them and there are other things so basically this was done without any consultation,” Mr Paul said.
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Story by: jone.salusalu@fijisun.com.fj
