FIJI Airways managing director and CEO Andre Viljoen says all applicable laws were adhered to before the axing of all 435 cabin crew members.
In response to queries on whether the Fiji Flight Attendants Trade Union was consulted –– and why the airline had not considered an offer from the union that cabin crew would work for free until the situation normalised – Mr Viljoen insisted every avenue had been explored.
“This was an extremely difficult decision, and one that was made only after all other avenues were exhausted, in order to ensure Fiji Airways’ survival,” he said.
“Fiji Airways is in the same position as most other airlines, having to pay recurrent fixed costs, but earning next to zero revenue. In the circumstances, it was simply not sustainable for the company to continue to pay salaries to employees who are not working.”
Fiji Flight Attendants Trade Union president Josaia McGowan said cabin crew members were shocked by the sudden decision to terminate staff members because discussions with management had been ongoing and at no point did they mention mass termination.
Mr Viljoen said staff members had always been kept abreast of developments within the airline, throughout the COVID-19 crisis.
“All Fiji Airways employees have been regularly updated on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the company, and the need for increasingly drastic actions if the situation did not improve,” Mr Viljoen said.
Mr McGowan said by going straight to termination instead of redundancy, the airline had breached its collective agreement with the union and papers were being filed with the Employment Ministry in this regard.
Mr Viljoen, however, insisted that “all applicable laws were adhered to”.
