Workers to go on strike

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Workers of Aspen Medical will go on strike if their log of claims is not addressed. Picture: FT FILE

ABOUT 200 Aspen Medical workers will go on strike on February 6 if their log of claims is not addressed.

The threat from the Construction Energy and Timber Workers Union of Fiji (CETWUF) members could potentially impact health services at the Lautoka and Ba hospitals.

The workers, who are cleaners, kitchen hand, chefs, procurement officers, laboratory staff, supervisors, security guards, drivers, assistant technicians, morgue assistants, cashier, administration staff and maintenance staff, voted to take action against Aspen Medical after negotiations fell through.

CETWUF national secretary John Paul said a strike notice was issued to the company on Monday this week (January 13).

“As always we think about the people accessing services provided at the Lautoka and Ba hospitals run by Aspen Medical and thus have given the company extra days with the hope that they negotiate with us and resolve the impasse,” Mr Paul said.

“Aspen is playing the blame game that it cannot enter into negotiations with the union until they have clarity from the stakeholders on the public-private partnership agreement.”

Mr Paul said the workers’ grievances had not been addressed for a few years.

“If Aspen Medical still does not want to come to the table and negotiate on the log of claims then the strike will start at 7am on February 6, 2025, and will continue until the dispute is resolved.

“We have 200 members at the Lautoka and Ba hospitals. All of them have voted to go on strike and they are now eagerly waiting for February 6.

“We had called on FNPF (Fiji National Provident Fund) to intervene since it is the major shareholder in Health Care (Fiji) Pte Ltd which is trading as Aspen Medical, but it did not say or do anything for the workers whose money it has invested in the health care company.”

Mr Paul said the Government was also called on to intervene.

“CETWUF has had enough of the delaying tactics by Aspen Medical to come to the table and negotiate with us and resolve the dispute.

“The workers are ready to go on strike and people accessing service at Lautoka and Ba hospitals should be prepared now for the strike action by the workers.”

Questions sent to Aspen Medical yesterday afternoon have remained unanswered.

Meanwhile, Minister for Employment Agni Deo Singh said they would allow due process to be followed and “timely interventions are provided”.