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\qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15612713 \f1\fs20\lang1024\langfe1024\cgrid\noproof\langnp5129\langfenp5129 {\b\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid13450201\charrsid15612713 
IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI
\par }{\b\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid3629169\charrsid15612713 AT LAUTOKA}{\b\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid13450201\charrsid15612713 
\par CIVIL JURISDICTION
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15612713 {\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid13450201\charrsid15612713 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15612713 {\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid15612713 CIVIL ACTION NO.}{\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid13450201\charrsid15612713 
 HBC0386 OF 1997L
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15612713 {\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid13450201\charrsid15612713 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15612713 {\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid13450201\charrsid15612713 BETWEEN:
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\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15612713 {\b\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid13450201\charrsid15612713 FIJI PUBLIC SERVICE ASSOCIATION}{
\b\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid3629169\charrsid15612713 
\par }{\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid3629169\charrsid15612713 Plaintiff}{\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid13450201\charrsid15612713 
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\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15612713 {\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid13450201\charrsid15612713 AND:
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\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15612713 {\b\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid13450201\charrsid15612713 PORTS AUTHORITY OF FIJI}{
\b\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid3629169\charrsid15612713 
\par }{\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid3629169\charrsid15612713 Defendant}{\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid13450201\charrsid15612713 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15612713 {\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid13450201\charrsid15612713 
\par Mr A Singh for the Plaintiff}{\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid3629169\charrsid15612713 
\par }{\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid13450201\charrsid15612713 Mr R. Naidu for the Defendant
\par 
\par Date of Hearing: 27th November 1997}{\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid3629169\charrsid15612713 
\par }{\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid13450201\charrsid15612713 Date of Ruling: 27th November 1997
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15612713 {\b\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid13450201\charrsid15612713 RULING
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15612713 {\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid13450201\charrsid15612713 
\par The FIJI PUBLIC SERVICE ASSOCIATION (FPSA) has applied to this Court for declarations in respect of its relationship with the PORTS AUTHORITY OF FIJI (PAF).
\par 
\par The FPSA is, as a Trade Union, the collective bargaining agent for the employees (both salaried and unestablished of PAF).
\par 
\par The material before me is the Affidavit of Mr N. SINGH }{\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid6050999 f}{\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid13450201\charrsid15612713 iled on the 9th November 1997.
\par 
\par Although the substantive cause of action }{\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid6050999 seeks }{\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid13450201\charrsid15612713 declaratory relief Mr NAIDU for PAF, was not in a position }{
\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid6050999 to }{\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid13450201\charrsid15612713 argue same and that was adjourned to a date to be fixed.
\par 
\par Mr A. SINGH Counsel for or FPSA submitted argument on an interim injunction seeking relief very much in line with the declarations sought.
\par 
\par As is usual with these matters (as Mr NAIDU pointed out in response), argument for injunctive relief often follows directly on issues relevant to the substantive cause of action - }{\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid6050999 i}{
\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid13450201\charrsid15612713 n this case, very much so.
\par 
\par In line with a general sentiment sweeping Government organisation, perhaps worldwide, PAF is undertaking the process of restructure. This, I accept, may or may not involve re organisation of manpower. Most likely it will.
\par 
\par As a result, PAF wrote to all its employee on 21st October 1997 (Circular 6/97}{\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid8944702 )}{\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid13450201\charrsid15612713  advising that it prop
osed a "voluntary service of employment (VSE) scheme" to cater for the restructure of manpower members in connection with the current re-organisation exercise.
\par 
\par The scheme proposed payment of severance pay at the rate of 1.5 years basic salary plus 4 additional weeks salary for every completed year of services.
\par 
\par The letter said that applications to sever employment was to be received by 4.00pm on the 4th November 1997.
\par 
\par It seems some employees have made such an application. Some of these remain current. Som
e (as evidenced by annexure 40 Mr N. SINGH's Affidavit) have withdrawn their application. Quite rightly PAF has accepted this withdrawal and, I suppose, will only proceed to deal with those applications which have not been withdrawn.
\par 
\par Similarly, as the Cou
rt was advised by Mr A. SINGH, FPSA does not intend to restrict rather PAF nor the applications from completing the severance arrangement - That is, the one's who have not withdrawn. In fact this reflects the position of FPSA as advised in their letter to
 PAF of the 30th October 1997 which states:}{\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid8944702 -}{\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid13450201\charrsid15612713 
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid15612713 {\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid13450201\charrsid15612713 
"We outline below, our position on the reorganisation of PAF .....................
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15612713 {\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid13450201\charrsid15612713 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid15612713 {\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid13450201\charrsid15612713 
There shall be no redundancy except by the voluntary will of an employee wishing to terminate his/her employment in which event he/she shall be paid compensation as offered in PAF Staff Circular NO. 6/97 of 21st October 1997."
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15612713 {\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid13450201\charrsid15612713 
\par In short, the FPSA agreed to allow the acceptance of the proposal (by way of voluntary application) of the 21st October 1997. In so doing, FPSA is, quite c
orrectly in my view, recognising the individual rights of its members to voluntarily agree with PAF on terms of severance.
\par 
\par Indeed, to do otherwise, is for the Union, FPSA, to take the role of telling its members (its principal) what to do. This of course a Union cannot do. It is the members who instruct the Union, not vice versa.
\par 
\par Despite advising PAF in terms of its letter of 30th October, 1997, FPSA did another correspondence (the date of which is undecipherible), to question the efficacy of Circular 6/97 of 21st October 1997.
\par 
\par The FPSA then claimed that the VSE proposal was in fact a redundancy package and as such was not negotiated with Union approval, it was contrary to the Collective Agreement. (By way of curiosity, I am inclined to the view that this
 correspondence is dated earlier than the 30th October }{\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid7277890 - It }{\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid13450201\charrsid15612713 looks like 29th October).
\par 
\par The FPSA now seeks to restrain the PAF from offering a redundancy and or severance package without following the procedures set aside in the Award Agreement between the two.
\par 
\par Such an applic}{\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid15215141 ation must fail if based on the}{\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid13450201\charrsid15612713  material before me.
\par 
\par There is no evidence that a redundancy package is in fact being offered. A severance proposal has been put, but that is not a redundancy package. The difference is that severance carr
ies without a voluntary application by the employee. Redundancy requires compulsion.
\par 
\par That is to say: In respect of severance the employee, of his or her volition, comes to terms with an employer to quit work. I do not see that a union has any right to int
erfere with this. In fact the FPSA implicitly acknowledges this in its letter of the 30th October 1997.
\par 
\par Redundancy is a different matter. Redundancy occurs when an employee}{\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid15215141 '}{\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid13450201\charrsid15612713 
s work is terminated by the employer because the position held is superfluous to t
he needs of the employer (See MAZENGARBS EMPLOYMENT LAW VOL 1 para 1202 and following). In the matter now before me, there is no element of compulsory termination and hence no redundancy. The provisions of the Collective Agreement or Award are thus not in
voked.
\par 
\par There is consequently no issue before this Court.
\par 
\par Further, if the point in issue is the circular 6/97, the applications for that have closed on 4/11/97.
\par 
\par There is no evidence that further applications will be considered or that a further proposal has been put.
\par 
\par Both parties agree that those who have withdrawn the application and those who have not, will be treated in accordance with their wishes.
\par 
\par I pose the question - What are the parties arguing about? The proposal has been put and the time for ap
plications passed. Those who still wish to have their application considered can do so. PAF can go ahead. There is no desire by FPSA to restrain that. And of course there will be no further applications to restrain. Those application closed on 4th Novembe
r, 1997, the day before this application was first brought to Court.
\par 
\par There is simply nothing to restrain.
\par 
\par There is no issue to be tried. There is no redundancy package in evidence. By FPSA's own admission, there is only an acceptable voluntary serving propo}{\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid15215141 sal. And the time for}{
\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid13450201\charrsid15612713  closing the door on that proposal (if I were so minded, which I am not) has passed.
\par 
\par Furthermore neither party intends to interfere with those employees who accepted it.
\par 
\par The application is premature.
\par 
\par I decline to order an interim injunction as there is no issue to be tried.
\par 
\par I award costs to the Defendant in the sum of $250.00.
\par 
\par Applic}{\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid3629169\charrsid15612713 ation for injunction dismissed.}{\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid13450201\charrsid15612713 
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15612713 {\b\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid13450201\charrsid15612713 JOHN D. LYONS
\par JUDGE}{\b\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid13450201 
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\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid15612713 .}{\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid15612713\charrsid15612713 97L
\par }}