THE Workers Union of Solomon Islands (WUSI) has issued a 28-day strike notice to the Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA).
The notice is effective from Friday 10 January.
This action follows SIPA’s failure to provide workers with their COVID-19 allowances, a 3.5 per-cent Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) and bonuses from the previous year.
WUSI Secretary Adrian Tuhanuku confirmed to the Solomon Star yesterday that they are awaiting a response from SIPA Chief Executive Officer Eranda Kotelawala before deciding on their next steps to take.
Mr Tuhanuku emphasised that WUSI is open to negotiations with SIPA to resolve these issues, but is also prepared to take the matter to the Trade Dispute Panel (TDP) if necessary.
However, there is an ongoing court case between SIPA and WUSI that complicates the situation.
Mr Tuhanuku explained that the legal dispute arose after the SIPA CEO refused to recognise WUSI as a representative body for the workers, following the deregistration of the Solomon Islands National Union of Workers (SINUW).
SIPA workers were formerly members of SINUW, which was deregistered as a trade union by the High Court on 30 January 2014.
The Russells Islands Plantations Estate Limited (RIPEL) initiated the deregistration process and the employer seized and sold the union building to settle related matters.
Despite these challenges, Mr Tuhanuku stated that WUSI had signed a collective agreement with SIPA workers that outlines both long-term and short-term issues requiring resolution.
However, the SIPA CEO declined to negotiate with WUSI, citing the absence of a signed recognition agreement between the union and the workers.
As a result, WUSI took the matter to court, seeking a resolution.
Meanwhile, a senior SIPA official revealed that the CEO is currently overseas and is expected to return to Honiara this Thursday.
By EDDIE OSIFELO
Solomon Star, Honiara
