Members of the University of the South Pacific (USP) staff unions faced a difficult decision between participating in a strike and receiving their pay. The University Staff and Support Staff Union (USPU) and the Association of USP Staff (AUSPS) initiated the strike on Friday, calling for the resignation of Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Pal Ahluwalia.
The unions’ concerns arose from a recent special council meeting which they felt inadequately addressed issues of poor leadership and focused only on human resources matters. Over 200 staff members gathered for the peaceful protest at the Laucala Campus, grappling with the choice between striking and maintaining their income.
Agnes Kotoisuva, USP’s executive director for People and Workplace Strategy, sent out an email on Thursday indicating that staff members participating in the strike would not receive payment for that period. She stated that those who are members of either union and do not report to work or fulfill their normal office duties without prior-approved leave would be assumed to be on strike. Kotoisuva also noted that, aside from verified emergencies, no new leave applications would be granted due to the challenges posed by the strike on university operations.
USPU general secretary Reuben Colata and AUSPS general secretary Rosalia Fatiaki condemned the university’s actions. Fatiaki emphasized to the members, “Now they’re threatening your job, don’t be swayed, this is your right.” Attempts to reach the university and Kotoisuva for further comments were unsuccessful before this report was published.