Trading banks’ skeleton staff faced another hectic day on May 15, 1975, as 600 workers continued to strike, while thousands of civil servants flocked to collect their fortnightly salaries.
According to an article published by The Fiji Times that day, banks curtailed most services the day before, including cashing cheques, but facilities were reported to be available on May 15 for customers who wanted to draw on their pay.
“The banks will continue to provide other limited services such as accepting cash deposits and cashing travellers’ cheques,” the article read.
“A large body of officers from the Police Mobile Force at Nasinu kept a day-long security watch yesterday outside the six banks in Suva.”
An inspection of the banks just after the opening showed that not all union members pulled out in support, with executive staff assisting in providing limited support.
Despite limited services, the banks experienced no great rush except in foreign currency exchange because of a large number of tourists in Suva.
Only three of the six banks were seriously handicapped, and an estimated 20 per cent of the staff were reported to be maintaining services.
The article stated that the commercial sector was not seriously affected by the strike, but difficulties were expected to arise because of weekend demands.
Many small businessmen made cash deposits at almost all banking centres during the day.
The strike called by the Fiji Bank Officers Association was in protest against the combined banks’ refusal to recognise it as the negotiating agent for managerial and executive staff.
The association had wanted the matter resolved by an arbitration tribunal, but the banks wanted a board of inquiry.
The association’s president, Rasiklal Jogia, described the strike as “very effective”.
On May 14, 1975, the association executives had discussions with the secretary of the Fiji Trades Union Congress, James Raman, who had talks with the Minister for Labour, Jonati Mavoa, earlier.
The banks’ spokesman, Arun Desai, said skeleton services would be maintained.
Mr Desai concluded that every effort would be made to improve services and to provide facilities for cashing cheques.
