The Chief Tribunal has declined an application from the Post and Telecom Workers Union for an interim order to restrain Telecom Fiji Limited from issuing redundancy packages to its staff.

Late on Friday afternoon, the Union took the matter up to the Tribunal after receiving confirmation that its members in the west were already being issued the redundancy packages even though the Union and TFL were yet to conclude negotiations on the matter.

According to Union General Secretary Attar Singh said the Tribunal agreed that Telecom had not given 30 days notice to members being made redundant, however, the Tribunal accepted TFL's position that it did not give proper notice because it feared sabotage of the network.

The Union is now contemplating reporting a dispute on the redundancy.

The package offered by TFL is 3 months pay plus 2 weeks pay for each year of service and the retirement benefits is also given to those who qualify.

However, Singh said they have not agreed to this package and are disappointed that Telecom Fiji is doing this without concluding an agreement with the Union and while legal issues are still before the Tribunal waiting to be heard on July 22nd.

Over 170 TFL staff will be made redundant as part of the company's reforms currently underway.

Telecom Fiji Limited is expected to issue a statement on the matter this afternoon.