Civil service strike enters fifth week, with no end in sight

Do not blame the strikers - Sefa Maufanga
I have been reading many of these letters and I have got to say that I am surprised so many people are putting blame and shame on these strikers. Many of my Tongan brothers and sisters are forgetting that our people are being taken advantage of by the government.
Why are teachers, doctors, and other CIVIL SERVANTS being made to look like the bad guys of the situation? These are the people who SERVE YOU! These are the people who teach your children, people who help you. The violence and destruction which has taken place is a horrible thing and it is sad that it has come to that, but in times like these when it is the GOVERNMENT vs. the PEOPLE , the people must stick together. We must be supporting our people!
In the letter to the editor titled “Turning children into vandals and hoodlums”, the writer says, “The strikers welcomed these young people who are too immature to know what's right.” This statement is referring to the kids from both Tonga High School and 'Atele who marched with the strikers in town. I believe the fact that these students joined their teachers and fellow Tongans in a march shows just how mature they are. It shows that they ARE mature enough to know what is right. They ARE mature enough to stand behind their teachers when they need support. This strike is teaching these kids about standing up for what you believe in. These young people are getting involved with their government. In my own opinion, the young people getting involved with the strike are getting a better education than the kids who chose to go back to school.
I am in no way saying that the violence is a good thing, because it is not. But it is unfair to blame all of the strikers for the mistakes of a handful of them. As the strike continues on and as violent and destructive things continue to happen, we all must remember that these people are our brothers, sisters, cousins, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends. Our family and friends are being treated unfairly. We must always stand behind the righteous. Please continue to pray for our strikers, our government, and our country. God Bless - Sefa Moufanga

PSA making some out-of-the-world conditions - Sailosi Finau, Auckland, New Zealand
We are entering the 5th week of the strike with lots of hope. A nation’s hope that can only be reflected in Kava’s preaching on how Jesus blessed the 5 loaves to satisfy the hunger of some 5,000 people. This crowd can only be characterised as a topono crowd. For they only took what they could eat. They were reasonable in what they did. I can therefore align with the Doc’s label that we have a spiritual problem at hand.
The revelation of the PSA’s 12 August’s 12 conditions (or 12 8 12) for return to work and Cabinet’s reply is worth looking at in trying to understand why the impasse is taking this long! Here’s how I look at the PSA’s latest conditions:
The 12 8 12
1. For both parties to agree and bring in an independent Umpire and for both parties to appoint their own arbitrator.
Too many cooks can spoil the soup. Should be fine as long as both parties pay for their own costs. Both parties should first agree on the rules for the Umpires and Arbitrators.

2. For the executive of the PSA to be involved in the drafting of the term of reference for the Umpire and the arbitrators.
I believe this is reasonable as the process must be transparent and participatory, not only among the Cabinet and the PSA but also involve a third party like the private sector, as appropriate.

3. For the salaries of Public Servants to be increased by 60, 70, and 80%, based on the old salary scale as of June 30 until the completion of the arbitration.
Why is the PSA insisting on this 60-70-80 now when an umpire / arbitrator is to confirm the viability/practicality of the claims from both sides. They should have asked for an earlier offer by Cabinet (say the 12.5% across the board) and lay the conditions / formula for the 60-70-80 raise based on the findings of the umpire / arbitrator (see earlier suggestion on the formula by ‘Inoke Hu’akau).

4. If following the arbitration the salary rise proposed by the PSA was accepted then the payment of salaries should be back-dated to July 1.
Accepted by who? Should be more specific like: If following the arbitration the salary rise of 60-70-80 proposed by the PSA can be sustained by the economy in the medium term without the need to raise next taxes and duties then the payment of salaries should be back-dated to July 1. This should be part of 3 above.

5. For the government to bear all the costs involved in the arbitration.
Truth and Justice cost money. Why involve government if the PSA wants independence. If Government will pay, it may impose a say on the selection of the arbitrator. PSA should be prepared to pay. Fighting for the truth and justice is not about marching with banners and good speeches only. One must be prepared to dig deep into his/her pocket. You have to believe in what you are doing.

6. For all public servants who have been fired from their work place to return to work.
No government in the world will accept this! However the court can reinstate these people. Fight it out in the court if the PSA believe these people were not fairly treated. Again, you have to believe in what you are doing and fight for it through a civilized manner!

7. For none of the Public Servants who participated in the strike to be reprimanded and that they should be paid their dues and including their salaries for the period when they were on strike.
Any government who accept this kind of condition is allowing itself to be abused morally, verbally, physically and politically now and in many more instances in the future. The strike leaders should well be aware of the consequences. They either kick the government out or expect Cabinet’s boot to land on their behinds. Rule of law must be allowed to take its due course, however, we have our own Tongan protocol for asking for amnesty and reconciliation.

8. For all the teachers to still have their August two-weeks holidays.
Teachers have a paid two weeks holiday. Ministry wanted to treat the first two weeks of the strike as holiday and therefore entitle teachers to be paid but they rejected. Cabinet defer to Ministry of Education to deal with it. Smart one, giving the MoE a bargaining chip specially for the teachers.

9. That no students should be penalized because of their support to the strike.
As in 7 above, rule of law must take it course. Amnesty and reconciliation can be applied if the PSA so chooses.

10. No new taxes should be imposed because of the salary rise.
Very interesting proposal which can be looked at as a faka…‚alingalelei. See comments on 4 above. Where else can the money come from, not only for this year…‚s but also in the years to come! This is like telling someone to walk and at the same time tie his/her legs.

11. To allow some of the committee members of PSA to assist with the arbitration process.
See 1 and 2 above.

12. For government and the PSA to agree to use the British Law during the Arbitration Process.
Oh my God! Where on earth can we see such a thing? Very soon Iraq…‚s new constitution will be suggested to be used in Tonga! PSA should have asked for Fiji…‚s Reconciliation Bill so that its members can enjoy the immunity it contains.

Summary

It appears like the PSA’s conditions 1, 2 & 11 make some sense and can be considered by government. Conditions 3 & 4 are something of the future that the two parties can get to through conditions 1,2 & 11. Conditions 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 & 12 are all unreasonable and no government in the world will accept them.
Mr Editor, there is no way the two parties can agree if one is making out-of-the-world conditions. The PSA Executives…‚ main bargaining point now is to safeguard its members and supporters (students) from disciplinary actions. This is wrong and a very dangerous precedent. The law must be allowed to take its course just like Cabinet accepting the court’s order to refrain from forcing the PSA out of Pangai Si’i. Tongan protocol for asking for amnesty and reconciliation can be used.
Let us not forget that we have a Vava’u-dominated Cabinet. He ka huni e Lolo, pea vela e Fatafata Mafana - koe ta’efieto ‘oku faufaua atu. Ta ne’inei tala koe Matapa ia ‘o Palataisi. ‘Io, ‘oku tapu ke to ‘a ‘Ulukalala. Pea toki pehe mai ‘a Nau Saimone .. ‘E he he. - Malie kakai!!! - Sailosi Finau, Auckland, New Zealand

Palpable excitement of strike laced with danger - Mele Payne Lynch, Moss Beach, California
The royal engagement recently held in Auckland, New Zealand (in my opinion) is a profligate waste considering the seriousness of the present crisis in Tonga. This decadence of the monarchy is a manifestation of his high level insensitivity and how out of touch he is with his subjects.
However, this extravaganza does not excuse the vandalism and criminal acts demonstrated thus far by some Tongans. In the same token the monarchy needs to take professional and fair leadership and show aspiration to resolve the stalemate dispute between the government and the civil servants. Lack of inspiration on the monarchy and government leaders can only motivate the public to take drastic measures and may be that what it takes for everyone to pay attention and realize there is a serious underpinning to the strike.
The old beliefs are crumbling and it is time for significant transition, of political strife, of economic doom and a 'rebirth' of government policy and procedures. The palpable excitement of the strike and on-going strife in Tonga is laced with danger and perhaps one of disruption as much as optimism.
Looking at it from abroad, I cannot help but implicit a vertigo philosophical view on the crisis in Tonga: If everything is possible, nothing is certain!!
It is a new dawn of reason. - Mele Payne Lynch, Moss Beach, California

PSA take responsibility - Tei Ak, Australia
It is with great sadness that in true Polynesian heat of the moment action our children in their haste to show support for their teachers may have BROKEN THE LAW. The government will have no choice but to try these impressionable youths to the letter of the law or risk giving them the incorrect perception, which will lead to disrespect for the law of the land in which they call home.
Here I do blame not necessarily the strikers at large but the leading body of the strikers, it was and is their responsibility to be cautious in their publications or public addresses in case they incite such destructive outcomes. …It was an outcome of this month long verbal bombardment of half truths and mis-information the people at large have been fed.
I look to the country where workers privileges was the result of the great union movement and everything from government workers to the private sector was built on the back of this great movement from 1913 CPSU was formed in Australia. This section of the Union in particular was the body government workers turned to for fair pay and treatment even for equality in the workplace.
In its whole history I have yet to locate any strike action organised by them that has ever lasted this long or demand such a pay rise in this magnitude and Australian industry can well afford it. …
The strikes were only ordered during the open day of parliament 24 or 48 hrs so as the industry which is unhappy can unite and take their demands. From that time forth the organisers and spokesmen of these sectors negotiated while everyone returned to work, the government is under no obligation to maintain pay when workers walk off the premises even today. Also in the history of the Union in any sector it has never demanded a pay rise of this magnitude, even a 25% pay rise took up to 24 months (two financial years) to be fully realised if it was agreed upon. The 60,70,80 is laughable, countries that can afford it won't even do it, you are expecting a lagging economy to just sit up and say OK. You are insulting the intelligence of the people.
Was this the primary concern or was it the ousting of the Prime Minister? Wolf dressed in lambs wool is what the PSA committee is. The unfortunate part is that people whom truly needed assistance lost out. From the 24th minute it appeared that increases were in line with the original request. Some received 100% and some 2% increase within their sector gage. The PSA wanted overseas methodology for award wages which is done on qualifications, and when they get it they still complain. Do they know what they want or what exactly they are asking for?
The government responsibility is to the whole nation, not to a handful of agitators who feed on people's pains for their own ends. Some hard calls will need to be made and those who are running a business in the private sector, those who are bringing funds into Tonga to help the government sort aids from abroad take care of the country as a whole are suffering, that also is a responsibility to bear in mind. It is also a responsibility to bear in mind that the Tongans overseas are being hit very hard sending money from pay packets that barely pays the rent to help the families that the PSA dragged into this.
To the PSA: your duty of care is non existent to a constituent that sadly believes you. The PSA committee are selfish men with ego issues. Anyone who is like that ignorant person who dares to burn the Tongan flag in New Zealand should leave Tonga, in any other country such acts of dishonour and treason would land him and his followers in jail for the next decade. I feel for those who are just following now because they have no other alternative, they have stuck with you too long to save face and go back and sort it out by the proper forum of discussion in their ministries.
Be brave go back hold your head high because you stood your ground now see what it can bring you in the long run, don't look for the short fix it never lasts and you may end up loosing everything you have worked so hard for.
Teachers show the youths how to negotiate using the minds god gave them and your profession to mold and feed, things that leads to violence is never good and never lasting, its final outcome is always pain. Go back to your classrooms and tend to your duty and utilise chain of command fully, it shows respect and ultimately the bridges you built and maintain will always bring you the fruits you want.
Gods Blessing on you all - Tei Ak, Australia