Members of the University of the South Pacific’s two staff unions will initiate a strike today. The unions had previously voted to strike in March due to grievances over salary increases, alterations to promotion policies, and the heavy workload faced by teaching staff.
Five months later, on August 14, the unions voted to strike again, this time demanding the removal of Vice-Chancellor Professor Pal Ahluwalia. This decision was influenced by the recent termination of Dr. Tamara Osborne-Naikatini, a mid-career academic and president of AUSPS. During a meeting on Monday, the unions concluded that longstanding issues remained unaddressed.
In an email sent to all union members yesterday, the secretariat confirmed the strike, which will commence at 8:30 am today. The staff unions are referring to this day as “Black Friday” at USP.
“This strike represents a vital step in our ongoing pursuit for improved leadership at USP. Your support and participation are essential for amplifying our voices,” the secretariat conveyed. “Let us unite and demand the changes we deserve.”
The University of the South Pacific Students Association (USPSA) voiced concerns about the staff’s strike decision. In a statement, USPSA indicated that while some individual members supported the strike, the student body collectively maintained its distinct position from the organizers of the strike.
The university issued a statement yesterday asserting that the strike concerns issues deemed outside of their collective contracts and employment conditions. “During this time, our primary focus remains on supporting our students. The university will strive to minimize any service disruptions,” the statement read.