The Chief Executive Officer of Air Fiji Limited, Sialeni Vuetaki said that he respects the workers’ rights to make their decisions and the process of secret ballot by the Union to determine their strike action is part of their rights.

However Vuetaki said that the outcome of the secret ballot brandished by the Transport Workers Union needs to be put into proper perspective. He said out of the 120 union members, about 34 did not want to participate.

Vuetaki is appealing to the staff and union executives to understand Air Fiji Limited financial constraints now due to stiff competition from Pacific Sun and high fuel costs.

He said the cost cutting measures implemented by Air Fiji is to ensure the survival of the company.