The University of the South Pacific (USP) is facing renewed turmoil as the staff union at the Laucala campus voted in favour of industrial action to remove the university’s leadership. The Association of the USP Staff (AUSPS) expressed dissatisfaction with Professor Pal Ahluwalia, an Australian academic who also serves as the USP Council president.
Ilima Finiasi, an AUSPS executive, stated that staff unions across USP’s Pacific campuses share similar concerns. The unrest follows the dismissal of Dr. Tamara Osborne-Naikatini, the AUSPS president, last month. The union alleges that Dr. Osborne-Naikatini was terminated for speaking to the media about the vice-chancellor’s contract renewal, which sparked accusations against Ahluwalia for allegedly attacking staff unions and suppressing freedom of speech.
This week, Fiji campus staff voted overwhelmingly for a strike. According to Islands Business, 96% of AUSPS members and 94% of USPSU members who participated in the secret ballot voted in favor of industrial action. The unions are now planning to issue a seven-day strike notice.
In response, USP acknowledged the union’s actions under Fiji’s Employment Relations Act (ERA) but noted that only 41% of the workforce belongs to the two unions, and fewer than 30% of staff supported the strike. The university remains committed to resolving the issue through constructive dialogue.
Fiji’s Education Minister, Aseri Radrodro, plans to meet with Finance Minister Biman Prasad to discuss the situation. However, Prasad emphasized that the government would not interfere in USP’s governance, leaving the matter to the Council’s established processes.
Since Ahluwalia’s appointment in 2018, USP has faced multiple governance challenges, drawing attention to its management practices across the 12 Pacific countries that co-own the institution.
