Members of the University of the South Pacific (USP) staff unions faced a difficult choice between participating in a strike or receiving their salaries. The University Staff and Support Staff Union (USPU) and the Association of USP Staff (AUSPS) organized the strike on Friday, calling for the resignation of the university’s vice-chancellor and President, Professor Pal Ahluwalia.
The unions’ demands arose from the results of a recent special council meeting, which they claim primarily focused on human resources issues while neglecting the broader issue of poor leadership associated with Professor Ahluwalia.
Over 200 employees from the Laucala Campus participated in the peaceful demonstration, but many had to decide between their paychecks and supporting the strike. On Thursday, USP’s executive director for People and Workplace Strategy, Agnes Kotoisuva, sent an email notifying all staff that those who chose to strike would not be compensated for the duration of the protest.
Kotoisuva emphasized, “Staff members who are on strike will not be paid for the period they are on strike.” She added that employees affiliated with either union who do not report to work without prior-approved leave would be considered on strike. Additionally, no new leave applications would be accepted during the strike, save for verified emergencies.
Both USPU general secretary Reuben Colata and AUSPS general secretary Rosalia Fatiaki criticized the university’s approach, with Fatiaki urging union members not to be deterred by threats to their employment, stating, “Now they are threatening your job, don’t be swayed, this is your right.”
Attempts to obtain a response from the university or Kotoisuva were unsuccessful at the time of this report.