Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has empowered Education Minister Aseri Radrodro to convene a meeting of the University of the South Pacific (USP) Council to discuss the claims raised by the USP Staff unions. In a statement on social media, Rabuka noted that the Association of USP Staff and the USP Staff Union are adhering to the procedures for a strike as outlined in the Employment Relations Act of 2007.
As the strike by USP unions enters its fifth day without a resolution, the Prime Minister reported that all student support services at the USP Laucala Campus are continuing to operate normally, managed by non-union staff and those union members who have opted not to join the strike.
Earlier today, Opposition Leader Inia Seruiratu urged the Government to take strong action to resolve the conflict between USP and the two staff unions. He emphasized that the Government should not be passive while the educational futures of students and the region are at stake, demanding decisive leadership.
Seruiratu also called for the immediate suspension of Vice-Chancellor and USP President Professor Pal Ahluwalia to facilitate an investigation into the unions’ demands, expressing concern over the situation, particularly as it coincides with the upcoming student assessments at USP.