NURSES DEMANDS

Monday Funnies!!!!

Strikes FAIL to Achieve CRITICAL MASS

In my previous post, I wrote about the failure of the FICTU/FNA strike to achieve CRITICAL MASS.

CRITICAL MASS is an expression that has its origins in nuclear physics, the point where an initial catalyst setting into motion a nuclear reaction reaches a point from which it cannot be stopped and results in a chain reaction releasing massive energy. There are 3 essential stages: initial catalyst, critical mass and finally chain reaction.

The strategy of the Anti-IG forces can be also described by using the 3 stages described above:

1. IGNITION/ CATALYST.

The initial catalyst in Fijis current impasse was hoped to be the FNA/FICTU strikes.

The strikes it was hoped would attract the support of the wider community, resulting in large crowds attending FICTU/FNA strike picket lines resulting in widespread disruption and impair the ability of the IG to govern.

2.CRITICAL MASS

It was hoped that the GCC and the Methodist Church would make a general call for Fijians to support the strikes and show their support by declining the cooperate with the authorities and making it impossible for them to govern.

Once the general population or large portion of it was involved, the action would spill over into a disobedience campaign.

It is also quite likely judging form posts being made on INCITER BLOGS, a campaign of bombings and attacks on security forces would follow.

INCITER blogs used by Anti-IG forces have in recent times called for ATTACKS ON TOURISTS AND PUBLISHED INSTRUCTIONS ON MAKING LETTER BOMBS. See earlier posts HERE and HERE.

It is clear evidence of intent and it is only matter of time before intent is matched with capability resulting in innocent tourists visiting our shores and Fijians becoming victims of violence.

3. CHAIN REACTION - EXPLOSION

The final action in such a campaign always involves a division in the security forces, with a faction aligning itself with anti-authority forces.

Once a division can be fomented, this provides a non-state player, in this case the FICTU/FNA/Anti-IG alliance access to resources and skills only the state has in stable nations.

No doubt, Anti-IG forces are liaising with elements in the Military to seek out the elements that may be sympathetic to their cause.

A spike in the number of visits to CRW soldiers held in Prison is a clear indicator of increase communication as a precursor to a planned action.

This was the strategy that the Anti-IG forces should have embarked upon. But the collapse of the FTA strike demonstrates the pathetic planning of the FTA/FICTU/FNA leadership.

INDEPENDENT,BALANCED,IMPARTIAL.

IG Stands Stronger than Ever

The Failed Strike by FICTU has proved to be a total disaster. Instead of providing the platform for a challenge to the IG, it has only served to make the IG appear stringer than before.

The FTA Strike was a TOTAL FAILURE. The FNA strike will also go that way. Here's why:

1. IG Stands Stronger than Before

The failed FTA strike has allowed the IG to demonstrate to Fijians and to the international community that it is firmly in control, that is has the “ACQUIESCENCE” of the people.

The failure of the Interim Government led by Laisenia Qarase in 2001 to demonstrate Acquiescence was key in the Chandrika Prased succeeding in his case against the abrogation of the 1990 constitution.

FTA’s poor timing and lack of planing has seen its handing the IG the one instrument of credibility that all regimes seek, the proof of acquiescence.

This wont be lost on the international community and the IG may even use its handling of the strike action as justification for extending is term.

2. Nurses Are on their Own

If I was a nurse today, I would have every reason to feel like the fight is NOT going my way. There is nothing worse than to find yo are on your own and the bills are piling up.

Nurse are in the lower end of our economic strata and are many are heavily in debt. With each passing pay day without the money coming in, the nurses will start to feel the pinch.

The payments of the Electricity Bill, the Widescreen TV which were purchased for watching the Hong Kong sevens will have to be paid for……except the money isnt coming in. Increasingly the statements by Kuini Lutua portray a person speaking from a position of weakness, not a person dictating the terms in this high-stakes gamble.

3. Questions over Motivations Arise?

No strike can succeed without support of the general public.

The international community which must be monitoring this situation is more likely to lend its support to the strikers if it can be convinced that the strike does not have any “hidden agendas” as union strikes in Fiji almost always do.

Increasingly, it appears that the membership of the FICTU/FNA alliance has been fed the line of having the 5% salary cut restored but the questions of hidden political agendas are increasingly being asked.

This will only alienate members who may have supported the action at the outset as it was strictly over working conditions but may now withdraw their support as the strikes appear increasingly politically motivated.

And it appears the IG may have outwitted Attar Singh/Kuini Lutua and Co. by declaring the strike legal and successfully painting the strikes as politically motivated one.

4. IG plays Smart

I Have been very critical of action taken by the IG but even I have to admit that the IG has played it smart.

By declaring the strikes legal, the IG took away any chance of international and local uproar over what would have been perceived as heavy handed tactics.

By declaring the strike legal, the IG further enhanced its standing as a Government upholding basic freedoms of its citizens.

And by calling a 2 week holiday a day after strikes commenced, the IG played a master stroke.

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.