The University of the South Pacific (USP) has terminated the work contract of union leader, Dr Tamara Osborne-Naikatini. The President of AUSPS (Association of the University of the South Pacific Staff), Dr Osborne-Naikatini’s contract was ended after she was accused of “gross misconduct” when she spoke to Islands Business about the process that saw Vice Chancellor and President (VCP), Pal Ahluwalia’s work contract extended for another two years.
Dr Osborne-Naikatini, who is a Lecturer in Biology at the university, was part of a joint committee of the USP Council and Senate that canvassed internal views from stakeholders on whether to extend Prof. Ahluwalia’s contract to August 2026.
Dr Osborne-Naikatini told Islands Business in March of concerns over how Prof. Ahluwalia’s extension was approved.
These concerns included the short time members of the Council were given to review that committee’s report before deliberating on the VCP’s contract extension, and the refusal of a deferral of this decision, so that more time could be given for deliberations.
Acting Pro-Chancellor Pat Walsh, who is the New Zealand government’s representative to the USP council denied this request, saying “contract extensions must be given six months before the contract ends.” VCP Ahluwalia’s initial contract was due to expire in August 2024.
Eventually, the Council voted on the matter via secret ballot, which went VCP Ahluwalia’s way, 13 votes against 10.
Union’s plea
Dr Osborne-Naikatini’s termination letter opens with the words: “This letter serves as notice that the Vice Chancellor and the President of the University of the South Pacific has decided to dismiss you with immediate effect for gross misconduct.”
The letter goes on to say that “effective immediately from the date of delivery of this letter, you are also required to hand over all university property in your possession. To ensure a smooth transition, you will have until 12 July 2024 to complete any handover and/or remove any personal effects from your designated office.”
The AUSPS and the Administration and Support Staff Union wrote to Vice Chancellor Ahluwalia on 12 July asking him to “reconsider his decision” to fire Dr Osborne-Naikatini, because his actions go against the “principles of good governance” and “freedom of expression” the university holds dear.
The joint letter said the expressions Dr Osborne-Naikatini made to Islands Business were done “in the spirit of freely expressing her opinion” and that freedom fell within the ambit of the university’s Media Relations Policy – which allows unions to “explicitly be exempted from being reprimanded for expressing opinions” in that context.
The union leaders said: “It is essential for the health of our academic community that such voices be allowed to speak freely without fear of retribution.
“We believe that the termination of the union President sets a troubling precedent that could stifle free expression and hinder our collective efforts to promote a culture of openness and accountability within the university.
“This action, we feel, is inconsistent with the values that both you and our unions have tirelessly championed.”
The unions reminded Ahluwalia that in 2019 when he was deported from Fiji by the Voreqe Bainimarama government, the unions “stood firmly by his side” because they believed he was “advocating for justice and good governance.”
“This shared commitment prompts us to appeal to you now,” the unions’ letter said, and by reinstating Dr Osborne-Naikatini, Ahluwalia would “demonstrate a continued commitment to good governance” and the “protection of free speech” within the university community.
The unions gave VC Ahluwalia a 15 July deadline to respond.
There was no response by that date, prompting the unions to release a statement this week saying, “Ahluwalia has launched an attack on the freedom of speech at USP” because “Osborne’s fight for good governance has led to her termination.”
The unions say the present format of the university’s Discipline Regulations is unfair because it “gives power to the Vice-Chancellor and President to be both judge and jury.”
The union leaders told Islands Business they “have legal support” and plan to “challenge Ahluwalia” because they see his actions as “bullying and vindicative.”
The USP unions are also calling on other unions and NGOs in Fiji to condemn Ahluwalia’s actions.
The unions said in 2019 they “stood steadfast” with Ahluwalia when he was “victimised as the whistleblower.”
But now, they say “he seemed to have a short-lived memory”.