Bune reveals nurses could lose out substantially

The Interim Minister of Public Service, Poseci Bune has revealed that nurses could lose out substantially on the Interim Government's offer of 60 new junior sister posts with a 12 percent pay increase.

Bune made the statement after being verbally advised that the 1,200 striking nurses of the Fiji Nursing Association have called off their nation-wide strike effective from tomorrow.

He said the nurses did not just lose substantially in terms of pay but he had offered them an alternative which was the creation of 60 junior posts that would have meant advancement opportunities for the nurses who are at base level. Bune said this would have meant at least 12 percent pay increase for them rather than the 1 percent they are demanding for the whole civil service.

He revealed that he had asked Nursing Association General Secretary, Kuini Lutua whether she was trying to be a martyr for the whole civil service because the 1 percent would not help the nurses, and what would help them was the 60 new junior sister posts.

He expressed relief that the nurses have finally come to their senses and was saddened with the striking nurses who have been grossly misled by their leaders. The Interim government will restore the 1 percent salary to the nurses which has already been agreed to, by the Fiji Teachers Union and the FPSA members. The 1 percent payment will be made on the 1st pay of December and backdated to March this year. 

Meanwhile with regards to the claims that the FNA will be seeking legal action on their grievances, he said that he is not at all concerned and is ready to take them on.