USP Staff Association to take industrial action as Council refuses to put Staff Paper on agenda - Fong

The University of the South Pacific Staff Association will now take industrial action and may go on a strike as the USP Council has refused to put the Association’s Staff Paper on today’s meeting agenda.

President of the USP Staff Association Elizabeth Fong says the staff’s voices are not being heard.

She says there was a motion moved to put the paper calling for discussion on the pay rise to be put on the agenda but a decision was eventually made that it would not be placed on the agenda.

The Association President further says they recommended that the Vice Chancellor position be advertised and those seeking applicants seek qualified people from the region for the position.

Fong says the Council has said they should continue discussion with the management and they have had a discussion on non-financial issues and come to resolution on a number of them.

She says however, the issue regarding salary adjustment and FNPF contributions was outstanding but the University had said they will not discuss it with them and will not negotiate.