About Us
HISTORY
To combat the adversities of working conditions, Fiji Teachers Union was formed in March 1930. Before this, the Methodist Teachers Association (Suva) and the Lautoka Teachers Association existed to protect the rights of the teachers who were working as private, grant-in-aid, scheme of cooperation and missionary teachers. Noting the value of education and keeping you focused on the child’s importance of delivery, the founders chose” The Child Our Hope” as the union’s motto.
Since its inception, Fiji Teachers Union has played a pivotal role in developing the educational goals of the country and has been the force behind the 1973,1982,1993, 2003 and 2017 Job Evaluation Exercises. In 1985 the Union in collaboration with Fijian Teachers Association took an unprecedented strike action to oppose the infamous Volunteer Teachers Scheme of the Education Ministry. In so doing the union has helped avoid the casualising of the profession.
VISION
The Fiji Teachers Union strives to become a vibrant, dynamic and independent institution dedicated to the rights, interests and welfare of its members.
MISSION
The Fiji Teachers Union strives to become a vibrant, dynamic and independent institution dedicated to the rights, interests and welfare of its members.
OBJECTIVES
The fundamental objectives of Fiji Teachers Union are:
- To promote and defend the rights, well-being and interests of teachers in the work-place;
- To continually enhance the quality of life and improve the working conditions of teachers;
- To promote and sustain the unity of Fiji Teachers Union, ensure total unionization of all teachers irrespective of their creed, state of origin, gender and their political beliefs;
- To promote and defend trade union and human rights, the rule of law and democratic governance;
- To establish relationship and co-operation with labour movements the world over; and
- To promote and sustain positive industrial relations practice by strengthening collective bargaining.
THE NEED FOR A UNION
Workers sell their labour and skills. As individuals, they cannot negotiate with the employers and the government. As individuals, they are always in a very weak position. This is very obvious when individual workers deal with the Office of the Ministry. Therefore, workers including teachers, need unions to speak for them.
The workers work as a group. They elect leaders to represent them. The International Labour Organisation and United Nations recognise the rights of workers to form Unions. The ILO has adopted, among several, two key conventions – Conventions 87 and 98. Under these Conventions, workers are granted the right to form and join Unions
Then through their unions, collection bargaining is carried out. This means the Union negotiates for its members. Therefore, if teachers want to improve their conditions of work then they MUST strengthen the Union by joining Fiji Teachers Union.
MEMBERSHIP
The Union membership is open to all persons employed in the teaching profession and those associated with the education sector. Teachers wishing to join the union need to fill in the Membership Application Form and Authority Form. A lapse of 13 weeks or more nullifies membership.
GOVERNING AUTHORITY
The authority governing the Union is with the members.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Each year the Union is required to hold the AGM which all the members are entitled to attend. The AGM approves the Annual Report and the accounts and approves policy changes.
NATIONAL EXECUTIVE
The National Executives with 12 elected National Officers and 15 branch reps administer the business of the Union in between the AGM.
WORKING COMMITTEE
The working committee consisting of the General Secretary, General Treasurer, and elected members from the Central Division to meet at least once a month to oversee the business of the Union.
SECRETARIAT
The secretariat consists of the Full time General Secretary, and Industrial relations officer, Finance/Administration Officer, Secretary and support staff. Members and potential members are welcome to contact the Secretariat on any matter.
BRANCHES
The Union currently has sixteen branches – Suva, Nasinu, Rewa, Tailevu, Rakiraki, Tavua, Ba, Lautoka, Nadi, Sigatoka, Navua, Lasbasa, Bua, Taveuni, Savusavu and Levuka.
The Branch is the focal point of union activities and members are encouraged to participate.
WHAT HAS THE UNION DONE FOR ME?
This is a common question that some frustrated members and non-members ask. Experience shows that this question is asked to demonstrate that the person has not gained personally from the Union.
As we have said earlier that the Union works for common good. It does this through collective bargaining; it negotiates to improve terms and conditions of work for all the members.