Update: 9:44PM AIR Terminal Services Fiji Limited management issued a statement today saying three more workers have taken up board chairman Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum’s offer and returned to work.
The statement sent by Human Resources manager Richard Donaldson said more workers have taken up the ATS Chairman’s offer to join the workforce taking the total to 15.
Federated Airline Staff Association national Secretary, Vilikesa Naulumatua, said the claim was not true and according to their records, only four had returned to work.
The ATS statement also said contrary to the comments in the media from ITF (International Transport Workers Federation) no flights have been cancelled or excessively delayed.
“ATS ground handling and catering services continue in spite of the prolonged unlawful strike,” the statement said..
“Determined loyal ATS workers and industry stakeholders are putting in extra efforts to ensure flights arrive and depart as per schedules.”
In response to claims made by workers representatives – FASA and the ATS Employees Trust – that they had not received cost of living adjustnent in 11 years, ATS said this was not true.
“All ATS workers are on pay scales that allow for annual increments and the majority of workers have
enjoyed yearly increases in their pay for the last 11 years.
“A number of the current management were
involved in developing a Memorandum of Agreement in 2010 which merged two previous collective
agreements.
“This merger allowed workers carrying out equal work to be paid equally because an
unbalanced system had been in place under earlier agreements.”
ATS said the Board Chairman’s offer to return to work, with the promise not to victimise any worker through
termination, if they acknowledge their illegal walkout, was still open.