Strike threat looms at USP, staff unions want me reinstated and VC Ahluwalia out – Dr Naikatini

Former President of the Association of University of the South Pacific Staff, Doctor Tamara Osborne Naikatini confirms members of the Association and the USP Staff Union have unanimously voted to go for a strike ballot as they want Doctor Naikatini to be reinstated and USP Vice Chancellor, Professor Pal Ahluwalia to be removed from office.

While speaking on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan, Doctor Naikatini also confirmed that she has filed a grievance of her unfair dismissal from the USP as she believes that she has not breached the University’s ordinances when raising concerns about the renewal of Professor Ahluwalia’s contract.

She says the union members have been very vocal and they see this as an attack on unions and freedom of speech at the University.

She says to walk away, and not do anything about it would constitute her voicing that unionism is not going to work at the University.

According to the two former presidents, Doctor Naikatini and Elizabeth Fong, they expect both unions to take a strike ballot.

Fong says they took the step and wrote to Vice Chancellor Ahluwalia and gave him 3 to 4 days to reconsider and rethink the decision he made regarding the dismissal of Doctor Naikatini taking into account the needs of the students.

Vice Chancellor Ahluwalia was also invited to the show however the University said that he wil lnot attend as they do not discuss personnel issues publicly.