Our History
Air Terminal Services (
Fiji) Ltd is an aircraft
ground handling company based at the
Nadi
International
Airport
which has the capacity to provide total ground handling to all aircraft types
arriving at or departing the airport.
Air Terminal Services came into being on September 1, 1981 when the Company took
over all ground handling services from Qantas at a time when the latter
contemplated winding down its operations at
Nadi
International
Airport
.
With the help and support of the Fiji Government, a new Company, Air Terminal
Services [
Fiji
] Limited, was formed. Government contributed 51% shares
in
ATS, now held by the Civil
Aviation Authority of the Fiji Islands (CAAFI) whilst
ATS
employees contributed 49% shares.
The formation of the Company was spearheaded by Qantas employees after various
industrial actions at the
Nadi
International
Airport
. Most local Qantas staff at that time stayed on to become an
integral part of the new Organization.
Air Terminal Services Employees Trust
-
ATSET - Air Terminal Services Employee Trust, was registered
in 1980 with the purpose of equity and employee participation in the workplace
(from the floor to the decision making body).
-
Trust Deed - Our rights as beneficiaries are governed by the
Trust Deed, like a constitution or Article of Association. The Trust Deed has
rules and regulations on Administration, General Meeting, Election of Trustees,
Fund Administration and Dividend declaration.
-
Shareholding - Upon employment, all employees are given the
option of joining the Trust. They each contribute $2,500.00.
-
The shares are held in the Trust until a member leaves
the Company via retirement, resignation, termination or death.
-
At the end of each year, the Trust distributes to all its
beneficiaries any dividend that is derived from ATS.
-
Composition of trustees: 1st trustee - FASA President;
2nd trustee is the National Secretary of FTUC treasurer, 3rd trustee is an
elected solicitor/barrister, 4 more trustees elected from the beneficiaries.
-
3 trustees are also elected at the Trust AGM to be
Company Directors.
-
1 trustee sits as the deputy chairman in the JOC.
Shareholding
-
The Fiji Government via CAAFI holds 51% of ATS shares.
-
ATS Employee Trust (ATSET) holds 49% of ATS shares.
-
Federated Airlines Staff Association (FASA) is the union
representing all employees. This was the vehicle used in setting up the
workers' involvement in the Company.
-
The Board of Directors consists of 7 members: 4 CAAFI
representatives; 3 Workers' Directors elected via ATSET.
Federated Airlines Staff Association
Federated Airlines Staff Association (FASA) is the union
representative for employees in the Company that nominates staff to sit in
Joint Committees.
FASA's role is that of collective bargaining regarding terms
& conditions of employment. It is an accepted fact that FASA's role is to
protect the welfare of and rights of employees. Decisions made here should be
just and fair taking into consideration both the employee and the company's
position.
In addition, each year, an Annual General Meeting is held where
16 executive members are elected from the floor. Of this 16, the President of
FASA by virtue of him being president becomes Secretary to the Trust (ATSET).