PINA pres. embroiled in state radio staff dispute

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PINA PRESIDENT EMBROILED IN STATE RADIO STAFF DISPUTE
http://www.pacificislands.cc/pm122001/pinadefault.cfm?pinaid=7377

HONIARA (Pacific Media Watch): Johnson Honimae, president of the Suva-based regional Pacific Islands News Association (PINA), is embroiled in a dispute with protesting staff and has been asked to take a nine-day break by the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC), according to the Solomon Star.

Staff at the state radio were reported to be demanding Honimae's resignation within 28 days.

The Solomon Star report cited by PINA Nius Online said SIBC general manager Honimae was taking leave while awaiting the hearing of a staff dispute against him by the Trade Dispute Panel.

According to the report, the staff are protesting over a board-approved restructuring plan drawn up by Honimae to deal with the financial crisis in the Solomon Islands. The plan was reported to be "eliminating a number of management positions" - believed to involve the sacking of six line managers.

An unnamed source at the state radio was cited as saying the staff would stop work when their 28-day strike notice lapsed if Honimae did not resign.

According to the PINA Nius Online report, Honimae left Honiara yesterday via Australia for a meeting in Suva and could not be contacted for comment.

+++niuswire

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