The threat of renewed strike action looms over public service employees in French Polynesia as the union representing their interests, FRAAP, publicly expressed dissatisfaction with the recent proposal for salary adjustments. The council decision made on Monday recommended only a five-point increase instead of the twenty points previously agreed upon, leading to significant unrest among workers.
Boris Lhie, the secretary archivist of FRAAP, articulated the union’s frustrations during a press conference held just after the council's decision. "The text which was proposed was not the text we agreed upon during negotiations. We understood orally from the government it would respect the twenty points for the first tier of category D. What we have now is five points, which amounts to barely 3,000 francs once other deductions are made. It’s practically nothing," he lamented. This minimal adjustment, according to Lhie, is inadequate to support the basic needs of the public service workers, particularly those classified under category D who are struggling financially.
The situation is exacerbated by claims of contradictory messaging from the government. Lhie questioned the government’s fiscal limitations, wondering, "On one hand, we hear there’s money; on the other, we’re told we cannot afford to take action for our category D workers who are suffering daily." His comments highlight the growing frustration and distrust among the workers toward those managing public funds.
Significantly, this latest round of dissatisfaction follows only two weeks after FRAAP's previous strike, which resulted in thousands of passengers stranded due to the cancellation of hundreds of domestic flights. The memory of those disruptions is fresh, and Lhie warned, "It’s going to explode" if their demands are not adequately addressed. Such strong statements reflect the heightened tensions between labor rights and governmental promises, indicating the fraught atmosphere surrounding public service negotiations.
The FRAAP's discontent also flows from perceived failures by other unions, such as CSTP-FO and A Tia I Mua, who have supported the government’s proposal. "We fight for the most modest categories, the category D. If we’re all caught up in union battles with elections approaching, are organizations winning elections by fighting for category D or aligning with government proposals? That's the question," Lhie pointed out, questioning the integrity and motives of allied unions amid the political backdrop of upcoming elections.
Union representatives made it clear during the press conference: "We're tired of being treated like wealthy individuals; you don’t respect us." These sentiments echo throughout the ranks of workers, who feel disillusioned and disrespected by the current negotiations. The underlying issue transcends wages; it touches on dignity, respect, and recognition of the hard work performed by public service employees daily.
Looking toward the immediate future, FRAAP is preparing for all possibilities. Lhie stated, "This time, the FRAAP promises much tougher social action," indicating they are willing to escalate protests to achieve fair treatment for their members. The potential for another major strike could again disrupt public services, sending ripples through the economy and affecting many lives across the islands.
With tensions running high, the next steps taken by both FRAAP and the government will be pivotal. Will the government heed the warnings and concerns raised by the union, or will the workers resort to drastic measures to assert their rights? The coming days will be decisive as French Polynesia navigates the complex interplay between workers' demands and governmental responsibilities, with public service employees awaiting clarity and respect for their contributions.
