Members of the IUF-affiliated National Workers Union (NUW) in Fiji won a historic 10-day strike at the site of Natural Waters of Viti Limited (NWVL), which produces the Fiji Water brand exported around the world.
Despite the tremendous patience of members and the efforts of NUW to reach an agreement with NWVL management earlier this year, talks broke down on April 8, 2024. This forced members to take industrial action – the first strike in decades in Fiji – to defend their rights and interests.
When negotiations broke down, management was still refusing to introduce basic benefits such as a shift allowance, Cost of living allowance (COLA) and would not make transport arrangements for workers required to overtime. The factory is in a very remote location – at the very source of the famous Fiji Water brand.
Job security was a critical issue in the negotiations. With so many changes to job roles due to automation and plant expansion, the union was seeking a job review. Management refused. In addition, management had started to deploy casual workers employed under precarious employment arrangements to carry out regular job roles. This violated the collective agreement and undermined the job security of union members.
Union members went on strike on on May 7, 2024, at the water bottling plant in Yaqara and the Naikabula depot in Lautoka on the main island Viti Levu. After a determined strike that mobilized all union members, an agreement was finally reached on May 16, granting all of the union’s demands.
NWVL is owned by The Wonderful Company in the US and Fiji Water is the leading premium bottled water in the US market.
During his visit to Fiji, the IUF Asia/Pacific Regional Secretary congratulated Brother Felix Anthony, the NUW General Secretary, on the historic win.
