The Association of the University of the South Pacific Staff (AUSPS) has raised serious concerns regarding the university’s delay in starting investigations. The AUSPS’s statement indicates that the USP Council Secretariat, which answers directly to the Vice-Chancellor, has obstructed the investigation process, casting doubt on its independence and fairness.
According to the AUSPS, a Special USP Council Meeting took place four weeks ago, yet the ‘terms of reference’ for the investigation have yet to be finalized, and the upcoming November Council meeting is approaching quickly. The union demands that fair and transparent investigations proceed without delay or outside interference.
The association noted that classes have been canceled due to staff involvement in the strike, despite the university’s assertion that class disruptions have been minimal. AUSPS remarked that students have also participated in the strike and highlighted that there were indeed closed classrooms, as reported by the media.
AUSPS further criticized Vice-Chancellor Professor Pal Ahluwalia for his lack of responsiveness and engagement with unions, stating that out of the four quarterly meetings required, only one has occurred this year. Furthermore, staff policy committee meetings, which address critical issues and grievances, have not taken place this year, with just two meetings held last year.
The AUSPS stated that this disengagement indicates a lack of priority from the Vice-Chancellor regarding dialogue with staff. They pointed out that no senior management personnel have approached the strike venue to understand the reasons behind the protests and suggested that the administration does not grasp the Pacific approach to dialogue.
The AUSPS reiterated that the staff strike arises from genuine, long-standing concerns. They called on the Council to instruct the Secretariat to establish a timeline for the investigation and ensure that the report is completed in time for the November Council Meeting.