Email this artiAs the Fiji Nurses Association and the Fiji Islands Council of Trade Unions remain on the strike path, Interim Public Service Minister Poseci Bune has been directed by Cabinet today to continue further talks with the union leaders.

While making submission to cabinet, Bune stressed that the interim government cannot afford to fully restore the 5 percent pay cut which FICTU and the FNA are demanding.

Bune said at their meeting last week, the FICTU unions changed their stance completely and insisted that the five percent be restored by December. He also highlighted that restoring the 1% pay cut accepted by the Fiji Public Service Association and the Fiji Teachers Union will cost $3.75 million.

FICTU Unions, the Fijian Teachers Association, Viti National Union of Taukei Workers and Public Employees Union will go on strike from 2nd August and are also demanding that the retirement age remain at 60 years and not 55 which is being implemented and the suspension of the partnership agreement to be lifted immediately.

Executives of the FNA and the FICTU unions maintain that they are willing to negotiate the figures on the restoration of the pay cut.

The FNA plans to go on strike next Tuesday July 24th.