Fijian union leaders arrested after a
strike at Starwood hotels
Fiji is governed by a harsh military
dictatorship which maintains a permanent crackdown on civil,
political and trade union rights. Six leaders of the island’s hotel
workers union now face trial on criminal charges – while their
union is negotiating with the employer!
We sent you this message two weeks ago, but the charges still hang over them. Please take a moment to respond by sending a protest message. Your voice makes a difference. On January 9, six union leaders from the National Union of Hospitality Catering and Tourism Industries were arrested and charged as a result of what the government claims to have been an "unlawful strike" that took place on New Year's Eve at Sheraton Fiji Resort and Westin Denarau Island Resort and Spa (owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc.) at Narewa village, Fiji. Workers in fact held a spontaneous protest against the unilateral removal of their staff benefits.
The military government declared
the strike illegal and arrested the leadership of the union. Now they
are out of jail but harsh bail conditions prevent them from
exercising their role and their rights as union leaders.
Although it is
believed Starwood played no direct role in their imprisonment, the
Company was responsible for workers taking action as a result of
management's unilateral withdrawal of workers' benefits.
CLICK HERE to urge Starwood management to use their influence to
persuade the authorities to drop the case against union leaders.
