The University of the South Pacific Staff Association has approved strike action aimed at the removal of Vice-Chancellor Professor Pal Ahluwalia.
In a secret ballot conducted over four hours at the Laucala campus, 95 percent of USP staff in Fiji expressed support for the strike. The Association of USP Staff (AUSPS), which represents academic and research personnel, achieved a turnout of 61 percent, with 96 percent voting in favor. Similarly, the University Staff and Support Staff Union (USPSU), which includes administrative and support staff, reported a turnout of over 70 percent, with 94 percent backing the strike.
This decision comes in response to ongoing grievances concerning Ahluwalia’s leadership, highlighted by significant governance concerns and the recent ousting of AUSPS President Dr. Tamara Osborne-Naikatini, which AUSPS General Secretary Rosalia Fatiaki described as a tipping point.
Staff from USP’s centers in Lautoka, Labasa, and Savusavu also took part in the vote. The Ministry of Employment monitored the voting process and will soon announce the official results and provide formal endorsement. Professor Ahluwalia recently had his contract extended for an additional two years, set to conclude in 2026.