The University of the South Pacific (USP) is contemplating legal action against Jone Maretino Nemani, the Permanent Secretary for Employment, Productivity, and Workplace Relations. This information was shared in an email to USP staff from Agnes Kotoisuva, the executive director for People’s and Workplace Strategy at USP.
Kotoisuva indicated that the University Staff and Support Staff Union (USPSU) and the Association of USP Staff (AUSPS) are set to strike on October 18, 2024, due to an issue that university management believes falls outside their collective contracts and terms of employment. She stated, “The university is taking appropriate legal action against the rulings of the Permanent Secretary of Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations.”
As the strike commenced, the unions demanded the resignation of Professor Pal Ahluwalia, the vice-chancellor and president of the university, pointing to concerns raised during the recent Special Council meeting. The unions emphasized that the leadership of Professor Pal should be scrutinized more than the human resources issues at hand.
Minister for Employment Agni Deo Singh has not yet commented on the situation. Reuben Colata, the general secretary of the USPU and spokesperson for the strike, criticized the university’s potential legal action. “They said they will take legal action against the ministry,” he remarked, highlighting that pursuing such a course could pit the university against the government, a major financial supporter. Colata expressed hope that “good sense prevails” amid the unfolding circumstances.
As of the publication of this article, the university had not responded to questions sent via email.