The University of the South Pacific Staff Association has approved strike action aimed at the removal of Vice-Chancellor Professor Pal Ahluwalia. In a four-hour secret ballot that concluded yesterday at 4 pm at the Laucala campus, an impressive 95 percent of USP staff in Fiji expressed their support for the strike.
The Association of USP Staff (AUSPS), which represents academic and research personnel, reported a 61 percent voter turnout, with 96 percent backing the strike. Meanwhile, the University Staff and Support Staff Union (USPSU), representing administrative and support personnel, also demonstrated significant support, achieving over 70 percent turnout and 94 percent in favor of the action.
The decision to strike emerges from ongoing disputes regarding Ahluwalia’s leadership, particularly issues related to governance and the recent dismissal of AUSPS President Dr. Tamara Osborne-Naikatini, which AUSPS General Secretary Rosalia Fatiaki described as a breaking point. Staff members from USP’s centers in Lautoka, Labasa, and Savusavu took part in the voting process.
The Ministry of Employment supervised the ballot and will soon share the official results and formal endorsement. It is worth noting that Professor Ahluwalia’s contract was recently renewed for an additional two years, expiring in 2026.