The Fijian Teachers Association is advocating for the localisation of the vice chancellor’s position at the University of the South Pacific (USP), according to General Secretary Paula Manumanunitoga. He mentioned that their members visited USP staff involved in a union strike earlier this week.
“As a sister union, the Fijian Teachers Association visited the striking staff to show our support,” he stated. “We were informed about the issues they are facing and have negotiated with the council, but as a union, we firmly back their cause.”
Manumanunitoga emphasized the need for a Pacific islander to hold the vice chancellor position, stating, “We have heard their concerns and challenges, and we support their wish for the current vice chancellor to be replaced by someone from the Pacific.”
He also noted that the Prime Minister has declared the staff’s union strike legal and in line with their rights. “They have complied with all necessary legal protocols prior to the strike, and the Prime Minister has instructed the minister to investigate the situation and provide a report upon his return,” he explained.
Manumanunitoga highlighted that the Fijian Teachers Association is the largest financial contributor to USP and emphasized the importance of addressing these concerns. “Although we have our own national university, many of us have attended the University of the South Pacific, and we empathize with the issues the staff are currently raising.”
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