FTU Files Notice of Secret Ballot for Strike Action

The Fiji Teachers Union (FTU) has submitted a notice to hold a secret ballot for a potential strike against the Ministry of Education.

FTU lawyer, Damodaran Nair, confirmed that they served the notice to the Ministry of Employment and the Ministry of Education yesterday.

The hearing will be conducted on July 6.

“We’ve sent them the notice and we’re ready to go,” said Mr Nair.

Echoing similar sentiments, the Fijian Teachers Association (FTA) general secretary Paula Manumanunitoga said it had been three weeks since they informed the Government of their plans to go on strike. They have not received a response to date.

“We don’t want to go on strike because as parents, we understand how our children will be affected when schools will be closed,” Mr Manumanunitoga said.

“Since the Government has been sitting quietly, and focusing on increasing their pay, we decided to go ahead as planned.”

He said the association was requesting a meeting with the Minister for Finance, Biman Prasad, to discuss his statement about Fiji being in debt and their efforts to address the issue.

“The Minister for Finance needs to come out and explain to us how it is justified that ministers get a pay rise and teachers since 2007 do not,” he said.

“We have 4534 members and all are ready to walk out from their job.”

He said they have submitted their notice of secret ballot to the Registrar of Trade Union.

FTU general secretary Muniappa Goundar said they were following all the laws and requirements since the Registrar of Trade Union would supervise the distribution and collection of ballot papers.

“We have over 5000 members and many of them are ready to go on strike,” Mr Goundar said.

“Teachers are also human beings and they deserve to get the right pay.’’

The unions have voiced their concerns multiple times to past education ministers and the current administration, but their pleas seem to fall on deaf ears.

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