Tensions rise at USP as staff union votes to strike

The University of the South Pacific (USP) faces fresh unrest as the staff union at the Laucala campus votes in favour of a strike to remove the university leadership.The Association of University of the South Pacific Staff (AUSPS) has expressed displeasure with Australian academic Professor Pal Ahluwalia, chairperson of the USP Council.

AUSPS executive Ilima Finiasi said the staff union at the USP Pacific campus had similar concerns. The unrest came after AUSPS president Dr Tamara Osborne-Naikatini was fired last month. The union claimed Dr Osborne-Naikatini was fired for speaking to the media about the president’s contract renewal, which led to charges against Ahluwalia of attacking the staff union and suppressing free speech.

This week, Fiji Campus staff voted overwhelmingly in favour of striking. According to Islands Business, 96% of AUSPS members and 94% of USPSU members who participated in the secret ballot voted in favour of striking. The union is now planning to issue a seven-day strike notice.

In response, USP acknowledged the unions’ action under Fiji’s Employment Relations Act (ERA), but noted that only 41 per cent of staff belonged to the two unions and less than 30 per cent supported the strike. The university remains committed to resolving the issue through constructive dialogue.

Fiji’s Education Minister Aseri Radrodo plans to meet with Finance Minister Biman Prasad to discuss the situation. However, Prasad stressed that the government will not interfere in the governance of USP and will leave the matter to the committee’s established procedures.

The University of the South Pacific has faced multiple governance challenges since Ahluwalia took office in 2018, with its management practices causing concern among the 12 Pacific countries that jointly own the institution.