The Employment Ministry has declared that the conduct of the Fiji Airports Air Traffic Management workers constitutes an unlawful strike.

Minister Parveen Bala made the declaration in accordance with the Employment Relations Act 2007.

33 ATM controllers took various forms of leave from Monday until yesterday while demanding increases to their pay from Airports Fiji Limited Management.

The Minister stated the worker’s coordinated and continued refusal to attend work, along with the demands put forward by the workers, are clear indications that a strike is underway.

Under the Act, this conduct amounts to an unlawful strike given no notice of secret ballot was provided to the Registrar of Trade Unions for a strike mandate.

He says participation in the strike, therefore, constitutes an offense.

The Minister encouraged both parties to continue to dialogue in good faith and to resolve their grievances amicably.