Big win for Fijian aviation workers as ATS ordered to end lockout

In addition to ordering the return of all workers, the Tribunal ordered that all pay and entitlements from the time of the lockout be restored. ATS management has 48 hours to comply with the Tribunal's decision.

ITF President Paddy Crumlin said today: “The ITF welcomes today’s ruling but all eyes are now on the company to comply. The international community is watching ATS and the Fijian Government to ensure that justice is served and all of these workers return to their rightful employment.

“In terms of today’s judgment, justice has prevailed for 220 workers, and their families, who stood up to defend their basic rights. It demonstrates the power of global solidarity and goes to show that when workers and unions stand together, they can prevail.”

“We pay respect to the ATS workers – their union FASA, and the FTUC – and would also like to thank the wider Asia Pacific trade union movement, and our affiliates, for backing these workers and standing up for justice, decent pay and conditions for all working men and women.”

“We will continue to work with FASA to resolve the outstanding issues at ATS, particularly settling the workers’ cost of living adjustments.”

Vilikesa Naulumatua, National Secretary of the workers’ union, the Federated Airlines Staff Association (FASA) said today: “In the end the truth will always prevail. Like Winston Churchill once said the truth is so precious that it should always be attended by a bodyguard of lies.

“The union and our members are thankful that this dispute shows that the Fijian courts are working and can see through these lies. This is a dispute that should have been resolved weeks ago.

“We fought this dispute on behalf of all the workers in Fiji who can’t stand up for themselves. We wanted to show them the power of standing strong in the face of attacks by management and the government. Our members are overwhelmed with emotion that justice has been delivered.”

“We are thankful to the ITF for leading the global solidarity which drew international attention to the treatment of aviation workers in Fiji.”

ENDS

For more details please contact
Luke Menzies, ITF Asia Pacific, Sydney | +61433 889 844 | menzies_luke@itf.org.uk