The two staff unions at USP haven’t wasted any time in announcing strike action tomorrow, including a demonstration at the university’s Laucala campus.
The announcement – circulated to union members today – doesn’t say whether it is a one day stoppage or the commencement of wider action. But USP is making it clear that salaries will be docked for the duration of any strike so taking part will come at a cost for union members.
The big question, of course, is how many staff members will join the stoppage. And we will only know that as tomorrow progresses. Grubsheet understands that there will be no attempt by the USP authorities to get in the way of tomorrow’s accompanying demonstration. But the main student union, the USP Student’s Association, has been quick to issue a statement of concern about the strike and its impact on classes and has indicated its continuing support for the Vice Chancellor, Pal Ahluwalia, in his stand-off with the unions and their demand for his removal. (see below)
It will also be interesting to see the wider community reaction to the withdrawal of teaching services and the inevitable impact that will have on the education of students at USP. The faces of union members will be evident in media coverage of the demonstration. Are they prepared for the inevitable backlash when this is no longer a dispute about pay but the right of unions to decide who should be the Vice Chancellor?
Some of the union leaders involved are believed to be on salaries well in excess of $130,000. So what Fijians on the minimum wage of $4.50 an hour will think about the stoppage remains to be seen. The USP Council shows no sign of caving in to the union demands for the removal of Professor Ahluwalia. So this could be a protracted strike or fizzle out if enough union members balk at enduring the financial pain of withdrawing their services.
The dispute at USP is coming at the worst possible time for the Coalition government as a split emerges in the PAP and politics has been thrown into confusion. Pal Ahluwalia is known to have the backing of the Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Biman Prasad. So are the Minister for Industrial Relations, Agni Deo Singh, and the Education Minister, Aseri Radrodro, going to be willing to side publicly with the USP unions when the last thing anyone needs is a strike at USP? We shall see soon enough.
UPDATE THURSDAY EVENING:
The statement by the USP Students Association.
Anonymous says
The staff unions are totally out of their depth. They got the pay rise they wanted (albeit not the ridiculous percentage increase they were asking for) and then they were clamouring for the removal of the Vice Chancellor which was turned down by the USP Council. They don’t even have the mandate for a strike.
Anonymous says
Please ensure your facts are correct before making any claims. The Ministry has given its mandate, but management is interfering, derailing staff in an effort to suppress union actions.
Graham Davis says
How dreadful that the USP management would interfere to try to avert a strike. What planet are you from?
USP well-wisher says
(1) The mandate for strike action was given by the ministry of labour few months back, so the Union did think about this thoroughly.
(2) Number of days strike goes on for is the strategy of the union and depends on the response of the council to address the teething issues raised by the union.
(3) Docking salaries is against the ERP 2007 labour laws of Fiji. This is how USP management is trying to bash the union, and frighten members to join tomorrow’s peaceful protest. It’s a right of a union member to attend a strike action with full pay.
(4) Definitely, there has been attempts by the USP authorities to get in the way. An example is that PAL is using his stooges to identify which union members will protest, and their names to be provided to him. Top heads of departments have been instructed to discourage staff from attending the strike for the fear of being victimised.
(5) The student union has been bought because few top student union executives (up to 5) are paid by the university, and their allegiance is towards PAL. Student views were heard in Council meeting # 97, where students were not happy with PAL’s leadership. Thus, there is lack of independence in their statement because these executives have been bought.
(6) Please talk about VC’s and COO’s salaries. VC is paid beyond $700K tax free, and COO $350K, apart from allowances. Former VC Rajesh retired at $340K. Utterly disgraced why this was even allowed.
(7) Pls don’t threaten union members that “faces will be seen in media”. This is an intimidating tactic by PAL and goons.
(8) The union members have the balls to call spade a spade. VC PAL has been very damaging to USP, the pacific and the region. Union trying to do is to stop the wreckage PAL has caused, and this is what the council should have done.
(9) PAL has to go. He has undermined council and USP procedures. Undermined the friendly nature of the pacific people. He is currently the captain of a sinking ship.
Graham Davis says
I never said the strike was illegal. I said it was selfish in that the students are being disadvantaged.
Good luck with not getting your salary docked. But there’s a pretty simple principle here. No work, no pay.
You are also insisting on the right of unions to decide who their bosses will be. And merely on the grounds of creating a precedent, that ain’t gonna fly.
Anon says
No, USP has mandate for strike from MoL. VC was himself the biggest recipient of the salary increase. 6% of $700K. I he had any dignity, he should have declined to receive. But rather he fought for another staff review increment.
Get Up Fiji says
It’s pretty simple to decipher all the BS with this strike and the huge inconvenience to the students who actually pay these intellectual idiots their salary. The Union is only following what the government of the day has done. Demand a ridiculous pay rise so they can work harder. What a dumb lot these unions and their leaders are. Spare a thought for those members who may be struggling financially, and who will now have to toe the Union line and sacrifice their pay for this stupid excuse just to satisfy whatever selfish motives the union leaders have. Woman basher Radrodro is way out of his depth in this. He is probably having secret conversations with his mistress Tabuya about how to tackle this unnecessary headache. Isa Fiji, how much longer are you going to put up with these leaders who have absolutely no care or concerns for the people. Unions and government alike. Grow some b****s and boot them off into oblivion.
Morgan Tuimalealiifano says
Morning Graham. Who is selfish here?
It’s a good day for the USP staff unions and affected students to go on strike over leadership issues with VCP Ahluwalia.
How about inserting the Unions press release for some balance and perspective?
In case you no one sent it, here it is, first the Unions release, second, two student views.
18 October 2024
From the two staff unions for Immediate Release
Staff Unions Strike and Call on the USP Council to Remove the Vice Chancellor & President (VCP) Whilst He is Under Investigation
The Staff Unions at the University of the South Pacific (USP) have commenced strike action in protest of the ongoing leadership issues at the University. The Unions have expressed deep dissatisfaction following the recent release of the Special Council meeting outcome, which misleadingly framed serious grievances as mere HR issues to be investigated rather than investigating the VCP.
The Unions have been raising concerns for months regarding the VCP’s management of the University and disclosed in an independent Report on the VCP’s performance to the Council in October 2023. While the Unions respectfully waited for the Special Council to act, the outcome from the Secretariat is ambiguous and fails to honestly reflect the core issue – VCP’s leadership that is running the University into the ground.
It has now been almost four weeks since the Special Council 2024 meeting, and the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the independent investigation have yet to be finalized. The Council Secretariat, which reports directly to the VCP, has failed to move the process forward, raising concerns about deliberate manipulation to stall the investigation. It is important to note that even when the TOR is approved, expressions of interest (EOI) need to be called; the appropriate Council Committee needs to meet, select and appoint the most appropriate applicant before the investigation can begin.
This failure in finalizing the TOR means further delays in calling for EOI and convening of the Council Committee to brief the successful applicant.
This delay is unacceptable, especially given that it was agreed that the investigation report be presented to the November 2024 Council meeting. At this rate, it is evident that the process is being deliberately manipulated and stalled.
The Unions are clear:
VCP Ahluwalia must be removed as no credible investigation can take place as long as he remains in control of the institution.
We find it unacceptable and poor governance that a person under investigation for leadership issues is still allowed to continue in the role. How can an impartial and transparent investigation be conducted when the very person under investigation remains in a position to manipulate documents and influence the process? [Sounds familiar?]
The Unions are calling for the immediate suspension of the VCP in accordance with USP policy to ensure a timely, fair and transparent investigation. As the situation stands, staff members are frustrated and determined to take action until real accountability is achieved.
The Staff Unions are committed to restoring the integrity of USP and ensuring that leadership is held to the highest standards for the benefit of the institution and its key stakeholders, both staff and students.
Ends
And now something from the students affected by VCP Ahluwalia’s decision to terminate their teacher?
From PhD candidate Bindiya Rashni representing Post-graduate students in the School of Agriculture (at Alafua, Samoa), Geography, Environment, Ocean and Natural Sciences aka SAGEON.
View 1. USPSA does it again!.
Somehow all their media release make such big statements without any proper consultation. Has the USPSA President [Nauru based] ever consulted students welfare?
How many full-time lecturers are even available for students?
How many Pacific specialists are available for students?
How many supervisors are there for HDR students?
But he is very fast with signature for media release when it comes to Cover for VCs moves!!
Such a disappointing release by USPSA!
The current President is not even aware that their (sic) are predatory lecturers in the system and well covered by the current system. Female students security are at stake.
Do you know that accredited courses has only 1 full-time lecturer teaching?
Maybe if you take your head out of organizing social events and backing up VC then you might actually see the mountain of problems that students are facing
View 2. Students on what’s on Fiji Village misleading story, ‘Unions go on strike on pay rise!’ No, the removal of VCP
There we go again, who on earth is misleading Fiji News! Seriously media people need to get their facts right!!
The Strike is only for Removal of Vice Chancellor and Reinstatement of our Pacific island lead biologist Dr. Tamara Osborne-Naikatini.
We students are joining the Staff Union Strike in solidarity for reinstatement of our supervisor and Definitely removal of Pal Ahluwalia!
Long due 6 years of tyranny and manipulations of policies to his advantage! Times UP Pal- U MUST BE DISMISSED IMMEDIATELY!
We students don’t want Fiji Government investing a lump sump at USP with such a lowly leadership.
If USPSA was even 1% effective then students wouldn’t be filling in seats at HEC office and presenting signed documents to voice their issues.
We propose as students of all levels at USP that Fiji Government appropriately examines the Final HEC Report before making a decision for release of funds to USP because with the current leadership, the funds will just be misused.
We are well aware what happens behind the close doors and what hardships the students are facing in our home ground!
Other views are available for the asking.
Best, Morgan
Graham Davis says
Morgan, “The Strike is only for Removal of Vice Chancellor and Reinstatement of our Pacific island lead biologist Dr. Tamara Osborne-Naikatini”.
And herein lies the problem. The unions don’t get to decide these matters. The USP Council does. ie the bosses, not the workers. So good luck with it.
The USP is not yet a worker’s collective. And if this action succeeds, it sets a precedent for other regional institutions to also become ungovernable.
Morgan Tuimalealiifano says
Agree Graham,
It’s the Council’s business and only the Council.
But look at what VCP Ahluwalia is doing. Council decided he should be investigated, but forgot to remove him as the person being investigated so that the investigation can start.
It’s been four weeks since the special council. Unlike the 2019 when finalising TOR, soliciting EOI, shortlist and appoint the best team to investigate VCP was smooth and efficient, this time around, the TOR has still to be finalized and Council is expected to meet next month.
The unions and affected students msg is clear, suspend or remove VCP, who is the person under investigation. Because as long as he’s in the driver’s seat, as a political scientist, he knows the game too well and has already mobilized those beholden to him to stall, starve, strangle and buturaki (subvert) the processes that are in place to satisfy Council’s directive.
This is about the future of the regional institution. Think about it. If his name is cleared and he stays, well and good. The processes are intact. That is all that I see the union and affected student are asking. Not for any pay rise as the other side have tried to smear their right to strike but for natural justice to a fellow worker.
PS. I am still asked to complete the boxes below every time I post a response. Am I missing something or can just click send without another box filling and doing sums…hahaha
Graham Davis says
Morgan, I have explained my position in relation to the impact on the education of USP students and have nothing further to add. In relation to your last point, I’m sorry. But, yes, you have to log on every time. I do as the person who runs the blog (yep the same box filling and adding up). That’s WordPress and comes with the territory. Internet security in the age of the hacker.
Protest-goer says
Given the politician that he is, in the name of good faith, I think PAL will send through his sycophants, water, juice and food to the strike action today.
For a good cause says
GD, i think you are one directional in your analysis. There are teething problems at USP. I as a staff feel not ok with this leadership since PAL took the reins. Everything smells rotten, with the lowest ever morale amongst staff. The Unions are part of this, and we can decide to choose also if we are concerned about the state of affairs at USP. Why not?
Graham Davis says
You can be as “concerned” as much as you like. That is your right. But the USP Council decides whether Ahluwalia goes or stays, not the unions. And you have no right to disrupt the education of USP students to support an unsupportable position, which is that you have the right to say whether the VC goes or stays.
You got your pay rise. The VC moved back to Fiji from Samoa. But now you assume the right to remove him. Going on strike to achieve this isn’t acceptable. And you can soon expect to feel the cold steel of public disapproval for the damage you are doing to the education of Pacific young people.
For a good cause says
We got a raise, but PAL was the biggest beneficiary. What’s your thought on that? Are you for that as well?? If he had any modicum of dignity and self-respect, he should have said a NO to the raise that the union negotiated with the council.
Graham Davis says
Excuse me, of course the boss gets more. And his salary is peanuts compared with the multi-million dollar salaries paid to vice chancellors in Australia and NZ. He is not running the motor pool at Carpenters but multiple campuses across multiple countries and in charge of more than 1300 highly educated staff.
For a good cause says
The boss was against the raise. Union had to fight for it. If he was against it, why did he accept the raise to his salary? It’s clear, he is ripping USP off. Highest ever paid VC that a developing country like Fiji cannot afford.
Graham Davis says
Haven’t you heard the old saying? Pay peanuts, get monkeys. There’s a parliament full of them in Suva. At least Ahluwalia can get a job anywhere in the world on the back of his latest Times Educational university ranking. The others will be lucky to be serving drinks when their political careers come to an end.
Just saying says
The Australian taxpayer contributes $18.5 AUD to the USP therefore it is in Australia’s interest to see that USP is well run. All the Union is trying to do is to localise the VC post so it can be run corruptly, like a lot of other things. The current VC has raised the units level to a point where its degrees are well recognised overseas.
Love USP says
Really, is that your analysis? We have enough good local candidates to run USP. We’ve have Anthony Tarr and now PAL, both are crooks, rip us off with exorbitant salaries and run when we are in doldrums. Wake up pls. $700K, my God! Plus he gets huge perks and allowances when he comes to work at Laucala. He stays at GPH and gets per diem higher than the UN rates for Suva. Get ur facts right, looks like you have no idea mate.