As the staff of The University of the South Pacific put their strike on hold awaiting the outcomes of yet another council meeting, the students of USP remain vocal about their own concerns, thus far unaddressed.
A statement released jointly by both staff unions of USP informed all concerned that the strike was suspended as of Thursday, 24th October.
“Your dedication and solidarity throughout this difficult period have been instrumental in driving the progress we have seen thus far,” the release shared.
“We will continue to monitor developments in our demand for a fair and transparent investigation into the VCP. Should the need arise, we will call for strike action again on short notice.”
This was in reference to the Prime Minister of Fiji reportedly instructing Minister of Education Hon. Aseri Radrodro, a member of the USP Council, to call yet another council meeting to address the concerns of USP staff after the strike received support from notable politicians and organisations.
“We extend our sincere gratitude to the Honourable Prime Minister and the Government for their steadfast support of the unions and their firm commitment to upholding workers’ fundamental rights. Their clear stance in defending the principles of Freedom of Association and Freedom of Expression has been pivotal in empowering us to stand up for justice in our cause,” the statement from the unions continued.
“We would also like to thank the Fiji Labour Party, Unity Fiji Party, and the Fijian Teachers Association for their solidarity with us.”
“Our students have been tremendously supportive, and we wish to thank them for standing shoulder to shoulder with staff throughout the strike.”
The support offered by students throughout the strike was returned by the staff on Thursday last week, as the staff stood in solidarity with students during an independent student led march.
Angered at repeated public statements by the Student Association released without any consultation with students, a group of over a hundred students walked through their campus grounds questioning the allegiances of the association meant to speak for them and demanding the removal of the Vice Chancellor of the university for what they claim to be poor leadership.
As more students joined in during the march, the group made its way to the Student Association offices and USPSA Federal offices demanding an audience with those who had signed off on a statement claiming the students were unaffected by the strike and the underlying systemic issues that led to it.
Turned away by the association’s finance officer without any answers and without the presence of the student president and vice president, the group turned to the federal offices where they were told by Deputy Secretary General Lepani Naqarase that university management and leadership were not student matters. The students, in response, insisted that issues affecting staff affect the quality of education delivered to students.
Further angered at being left unheard the students made a final stop at the Vice Chancellor’s residence, reportedly empty as he travels, “engaged in official University business across the region,” according to an October 22nd press release by the university.
Students were also seen collecting signatures for a petition to have their concerns heard by council at its upcoming meeting.
Staff and students of The University of the South Pacific now await the outcome of said council meeting.
The strike mandate remains valid until February 14th, 2025, should the staff decide to resume the strike.