In 1992, the Yasawa Council of Chiefs barred Blue Lagoon Cruises Limited from visiting islands in the Yasawas until it recognised the Blue Lagoon Employment Union.
The chiefs, according to an article published by this newspaper on October 3 that year, called on the company to reinstate all striking crew members without “further recriminations or victimisation” and pay them for time during the strike.
In addition, they asked Blue Lagoon to pay $250,000 per year as landing fees since the company was paying $25,000.
The decisions were made at a meeting of Yasawa chiefs at Rogorogoivuda House at Lautoka. The meeting agreed that all Blue Lagoon visits to the islands would be suspended until their demands were met.
The Yasawa Council of Chiefs included the chairman and Tui Naviti Senator Ratu Vuki Belo Rauga, the secretary and Tui Drola Ratu Dovi Tavutuvuvanua, Tui Yasawa Ratu Maikeli Barl, Tui Yaqeta Ratu Varayame, Ratu Tui Marou Adi Titilia Vunisa, Tui Teci Ratu Tui Lekima Ratuvou, Tui Waya Ratu Nalotonidave Naivalu and Tui Viwa Ratu Jiwa Qoro.
The chiefs met with Blue Lagoon general manager Barry Ingham and handed a letter carrying their demands.
The Ministry of Employment and Industrial Relations rejected a union application for compulsory recognition and had ordered the strike as illegal.
Senator Ratu Vuki said the chiefs understood the legal position of the company and government.
“We, the chiefs of Yasawa, are very much concerned with the plight of our sons, the sons of our land and workers of Blue Lagoon Cruises who are on strike.
“We would now like to intercede on behalf of the crew members and in the interest of the nation, we, the owners of the land and the waters on which your company operates, hereby give the company our chief ultimatum.”
Ratu Vuki said the landing fees paid by Blue Lagoon were “not reasonable” when considered against the financial performance of the company over the last five years.
The article said Blue Lagoon had recorded a $1.7million profit in 1991.
“We believe that the attraction of the Yasawas and their people has a direct impact on the company’s solid performance. The $250,000 (fee) is therefore really a pittance compared with the considerable earnings of the Blue Lagoon Cruises Limited.”
In a statement published on October 2 that same year, Mr Ingham said all cruise Itineraries except the Sawa-i-Lau caves were operating normally.
He accused the union acting secretary, Charles Chambers, of misleading the crew and some Yasawa chiefs into withdrawing access to several beaches in Yasawa.
“While Blue Lagoon respects the decision of the former crew members in exercising their individual rights, it is appalling that Mr Chambers would influence these men to disregard the law, which has resulted in them terminating their own employment,” he said.
