“The association comprising academic and professional staff has informed the university of its intention to take action subject to the satisfactory settlement of its Log Of Claims,” Ms Fong said.
(Inset) Association of the University of the South Pacific Staff president Elizabeth Fong.
The Association of the University of the South Pacific Staff (AUSPS) has put the University of South Pacific Council on notice.
It comes amid growing complaints relating to work conditions and pay increment that the association president, Elizabeth Fong, said has been raised for many years but have not been met.
Ms Fong said they submitted their log of complaints to the council last Wednesday and given them seven days to respond.
Ms Fong said they have been talking about this issue for a while but the university has not provided reassuring responses.
The Fiji Sun understands that plans for a possible strike action are in place if the grievances are not resolved.
Without delving into any particular detail, Ms Fong said they hope their grievances would be settled and work in the university would carry on as usual.
“The association comprising academic and professional staff has informed the university of its intention to take action subject to the satisfactory settlement of its Log Of Claims,” Ms Fong said.
Ms Fong said they would follow due process and channels to mitigate the issue.
“For now, we are waiting for their response to our grievances and if the council don’t meet our requirements we might take further actions,” she said.
Background
In April this year, USP Vice Chancellor Professor Pal Ahluwalia revealed, in a press conference, that some staff received a pay increment in October last year and January this year because of their exceptional management of the university’s budget.
Meanwhile, questions sent to the USP Pro-Chancellor and council chair, Dr Hilda Heine and Professor Pal Ahluwalia, were not answered when this edition went to press.
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