Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has acknowledged that the University of the South Pacific (USP) staff unions participating in the strike have adhered to all required procedures. This statement is the first official comment from the Government since members of the University Staff and Support Staff Union (USPU) and the Association of USP Staff (AUSPS) initiated their strike last Friday.
The USP, along with Education Minister Aseri Radrodro and Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations Minister Agni Deo Singh, have not publicly addressed the strike occurring at the Laucala Campus.
Rabuka mentioned that he has empowered Minister Radrodro to convene a meeting of the USP Council. He emphasized, “The USP Staff union is in compliance with the provisions and procedures for a strike as outlined in the Employment Relations Act 2007.” He also stated that student support services at the USP Laucala Campus continue to function normally, maintained by staff members who are either not part of the union or union members who opted not to strike.
Furthermore, Rabuka has authorized the Education Minister to arrange a meeting with the USP Council to discuss the claims raised by the USP Staff unions.
Last Thursday, Agnes Kotoisuva, the executive director for People’s and Workplace Strategy at USP, suggested in an email to staff that the university might pursue “appropriate legal action” concerning the decisions made by the Permanent Secretary of Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations.
The unions’ concerns arise from the outcomes of a recent Special Council meeting, which they believe only addressed human resources matters while overlooking issues related to poor leadership under Vice-Chancellor Pal. They have also raised alarms regarding inadequate hierarchical leadership within the university and what they consider the wrongful termination of USP biologist Professor Tamara Osborne-Naikatini in July.