The University of the South Pacific said it is important to recognise that USP’s Vice-Chancellor and President is appointed by the USP Council, which comprises representatives from all its 12 member countries.

In a statement, USP said it was informed yesterday by Fiji’s Office of the Registrar of Trade Unions that approval had been granted to two Fiji-based staff unions to conduct a secret ballot on ‘The removal of the Vice Chancellor & President” at USP’s Fiji Campuses today.

It added at its 96th meeting session held in November last year, the USP Council reaffirmed its support for the VCP and renewed his contract for an additional two years.

The VCP has recently commenced his new term and has returned to Laucala, Fiji, to resume his duties from the VCP’s residence.

The statement adds that the University respects that this action on the part of the two unions concerned is being undertaken under the provisions laid out in Fiji’s Employment Relations Act (ERA).

USP also notes that with over 1,300 staff across our 12 regional countries, membership of the two unions accounts for only 41% of its total workforce.

 Moreover, it is understood from unofficial numbers that those who voted in support of the proposition make up 25% of Academic and Professional Staff and 28% of Administrative and Support Staff.

Notwithstanding these numbers, the USP management remains committed to constructive and good-faith dialogue in addressing legitimate staff issues within the processes and procedures set by its Council and by the employment laws of respective member countries.

In this instance, the University is confident that it will successfully challenge the claims and actions by the two unions concerned, which have been misleading in parts and untrue in others, in accordance with the ERA and associated legal processes.

USP added that the Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Ahluwalia, together with the USP Management are focused on ensuring that the welfare of students and the needs of the member countries continue to be of the highest priority.