NURSES DEMANDS

Monday Funnies!!!!

IG Counterattack works ...for now!

The Fijian Teachers Union ended their strike on Friday after the IG announced that it was bringing the school holidays forward by 2 weeks.


The FTA was caught off guard and had no choice but to call of their day long strike.

Interim Education Minister, Netani Sukanaivalu says the decision to move school holidays forward by two weeks was a strategy to force the Fijian Teachers Association members to end their strike.

Sukanaivalu said if the FTA and its members will be "paying more then they have bargained for" if they are thinking of going back on strike after the holidays, then.

• Signs are also emerging that the FNA strike is beginning to flounder. The strategy behind the FNA/FICTU strikes was to create a "critical mass" that would grow to a wider campaign of resistance to the IG involving ordinary Fijians.

• The IG moved quickly to address this potential for unrest by withdrawing the suspension of the Chiefs and announcing the GCC will convene in the coming days to discuss issues. This was another strategic move to deny the FNA/FICTU alliance of the wider public support they were hoping to gain by winning the Chiefs endorsement.

Unfortunately for them, the Chiefs decided the loss of their allowances was to much of a gamble and they could rather get back their per-diems.

• Additionally, information gathered form retailers across the Southern Division, reveals that re-possessions of items purchased on credit are expected to sky-rocket. This is particularly so, as the majority of those who purchase items such as TV's, stereos, DVD players etc from Courts and BP are form the lower income bracket and this includes our nurses.

The nurses strike has begun to hit where it hurts, the nurses pockets. There is growing pressure from the membership to cut a deal, which will only increase now that they have lost their ally, the FTA.

The Anti-IG forces have revaled their lack of strategic planning ability. Wheres Mark Textor when you need him?

INDEPENDENT,BALANCED,IMPARTIAL.

Poseci Bune - Stung by FNA

The decision by some elements in the Fiji Nurses Association to go on strike has been a significant blow to one person in the IG.

And no, its not Bainimarama or even Chaudhry. Its Poseci Bune.

According to well placed sources inside the administration, the inability of Poseci Bune to bring Kuini Lutua around has seen his standing in the inner circle of the IG take a battering.

This is particularly so, as Mahendra Chaudhry had successfully negotiated with the 2 major unions of the FTUC to accept a deal and not go on strike.

The same sources reveal, Poseci Bune was tasked with pulling of a similar deal with the FNA. The IG's strategist believed such a deal as would deprive the anti-IG forces of a springboard from which to launch further destabilising actions.

That Mahend Chaudry and Poseci Bune aren't exactly the best of friends is an open secret and the FNA strike has dealt Poseci Bune another blow.

All this comes at a time when Chaudhry was coming under increasing pressure form within the interim cabinet about the downward slide of the economy. It is believed that Poseci Bune was one of those questioning the way Chaudhry had gone about things.

FNA strike has allowed Chaudhry and co. to regroup and get back on the front foot.

Stay tuned.........

INDEPENDENT,BALANCED,IMPARTIAL.

Strike now (Almost) Inevitable

The impending strike to be led by the Fiji Nures Association is now inevitable barring any last minute settlements between the IG and the FNA.

Workers have a right to organise and strike action is a legitimate option available to the workers PROVIDED THE STRIKE IS FOR THE RIGHT REASONS.

Communications monitored by LF operatives reveal that in recent weeks the FNA has increasingly come under the influence of certain political types who wish to use the FNA as a pawn in their own political game.

Many nurses have also expressed their concern that the Union agenda seems to have been hijacked by those outside the Union.

LF can also reveal that media statements issued by the FNA were drafted and issued from the office of the Ratu Komaisavai, who is representing both GCC and the SDL.

Source have also revealed that Kuini Lutua of the FNA has held meetings in the offices of the lawyer with two former SDL Ministers in recent times, where she was persuaded to reject the IG offer, despite pressure form her members to accept a compromise.

INDEPENDENT,BALANCED,IMPARTIAL.