Ilima Finiasi, an executive of the University of the South Pacific (USP) Staff Association, has called for the resignation of Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Pal Ahluwalia, stating that campuses across the region are united in this demand. In an interview, Finiasi revealed that they are in ongoing discussions with other unions across the region, all expressing similar views regarding Ahluwalia’s leadership.
He emphasized that the concerns surrounding the Vice-Chancellor extend beyond the main campus in Laucala and affect the entire institution. However, the University responded by noting that it employs over 1,300 staff members across 12 countries, with the two unions representing only 41 percent of the total workforce. According to the university’s estimates, around 25 percent of Academic and Professional Staff and 28 percent of Administrative Support Staff supported the strike proposition.
The university acknowledged that the actions taken by the unions comply with Fiji’s Employment Relations Act. In a secret ballot conducted on Wednesday, which lasted four hours and concluded at 4 PM at Laucala campus, a striking 95 percent of USP staff in Fiji voted in favor of the strike. The Association of USP Staff (AUSPS), representing academic and research personnel, reported a turnout of 61 percent with 96 percent voting for the strike. Similarly, the University Staff and Support Staff Union (USPSU), which represents administrative and support staff, recorded a turnout exceeding 70 percent with 94 percent in favor.
This vote responds to ongoing grievances regarding Professor Ahluwalia’s leadership, including significant governance issues and the recent removal of AUSPS President Dr. Tamara Osborne-Naikatini, which AUSPS General Secretary Rosalia Fatiaki termed a “final straw.” Staff from USP’s centers in Laucala, Lautoka, Labasa, and Savusavu participated in the voting process. Notably, Professor Ahluwalia’s contract was recently extended for two years and will conclude in 2026.