23 Mar 2007

Fiji public sector unions silent on military's warning

8:28 am on 23 March 2007

Fiji's public sector unions have declined to comment on the warning by the interim regime that the army will intervene for the sake of public safety if there is strike action.

The Fiji Times reports that the Confederation of Public Sector Unions chairman Rajeshwar Singh says he has "glimpsed" the statement by military commander and interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama but would reserve his comment.

Fiji Teachers Union general secretary Agni Deo Singh also says he was going to reserve his comments.

Despite the warning by the military, Fiji Nursing Association members turned up in large numbers to cast their votes in the Central Division.

Its General secretary Kuini Lutua says the turn out was "very good".

The Air Traffic Management Association of Fiji is also preparing for its secret ballot for a strike mandate at the end of the month.