Fijileaks: Since Biman Prasad and his party told voters that if the Coalition won the election, they would lift Ahluwalia's ban and cancel his deportation order, Prasad should have refrained from taking part in the two day USP Council meeting.
*In any case, what the hell was he doing at the meeting as Finance Minister (Aiyaz Khaiyum all over again). It should have been left to the Education Minister Aseri Radrodro.
*The USP Staff Association are very unhappy with Ahluwalia's re-appointment, with threats of industrial action, after Ahluwalia did not see fit to put the Staff papers on the agenda of the 96th USP Council Meeting.
*The Association is demanding that Ahluwalia re-locate from Samoa to USP Laucala Campus.
*But he still fears for his safety because Frank Bainimarama and Sitiveni Qiliho's USP case is now before the Fiji Court of Appeal
Title: Staff Report to Council: Update and Issues for Decision Making (identical to Agenda item and paper title)
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to inform and update the Council on the progress on staff matters reported to the May 2023 Council (C95).
Executive Summary: (maximum 100 words summarising key points)
The USP staff across the 14 campuses acknowledge the Council’s support towards staff matters raised at the May 2023 Council with advice that the Management works with the staff members and unions to resolve issues.
Council should note that the issues were raised through fora of the SMT/Union Quarterly meetings and Staff Policy (one final meetings for the year for each remain outstanding) and it was only through decisions at Union meetings (AUSPS and USPSU - October 2023) that notified the Management of the decision that strike action compliant with Fiji Labour Laws was voted for, that the VC gave this priority and appointed the Chief Operating Officer and the Executive Director People and Workforce Strategy (EDPWS) to negotiate with the academic and professional staff on the Log of Claims submitted by AUSPS. The Log of Claims contained the issues submitted to the May Council.
The non-financial issues have been dealt with, however, for the salary adjustment, the management has advised that there is no room for negotiation. The staff noted the 2% in October 2022 and another 2% in January 2023 which were not backdated. In June 2023, an increment was given to qualifying staff excluding those who had received promotion in a 12-month period. Cost of living has skyrocketed and with what the university has saved in staff costs for positions not filled totals $14.8m.
The Log of Claims for which resolution was achieved comprised the following (refer to Appendix 1):
UNRESOLVED ITEM IN LOG OF CLAIMS
Academic Staff Representation to Council
The attached submission (Appendix 2) to Senate 4/2023 on November 2 2023 outlined the proposal to replace the second senate professorial representative to Council by an academic voted by the academic non professorial categories, from AL to AP. The Chair of Senate did not support the proposal but referred the matter to a Working Group of Senate and informed the Senate that this proposal would require two readings of Senate. There is no policy justification regarding the need for a Working Group or the two readings. Senate should have discussed the proposal and voted on it.
Recommendation 1
That Council corrects the Senate to vote on this proposal that will see equitable representation on Council. Staff representatives on Council recall DPC Walsh’s support for this proposal.
NEW ISSUES
Item 1: Salary adjustment for Academics and Professional Staff
This is submitted for Council consideration and approval as the University Management has refused to discuss or negotiate any salary adjustment in good faith with staff representatives. The refusal to discuss and consider the increases is against the ILO Convention on Collect Bargaining and Council decision C95.
All levels of staff sacrificed salary adjustments in the 2019-2021 Triennium and 2022-2023 of the second triennium. This was in consideration of the uncertainties during COVID and the withholding of the Grant by Fiji Government for services rendered. In addition, the workload of many staff has doubled and trebled in the period with vacancies reported at 455 by the VCP at the May 2023 Council across the USP Regional campuses. The inadequate Extra Duties Allowance Policy has been recommended for review as it fails to reflect workloads and the lengthy periods of 12 months and more.
Therefore, Academic and Professional Staff seek the following:
That Council approves the salary adjustments requested and payable in 2023 (Pay 25).
Item 2: Salary Adjustment for Administrative and Support Staff (I&J)
In the interests of efficiency and time, based on the decision to not negotiate with AUSPS on salary adjustment, the Administrative Staff Union (USPSU) is making a direct submission to Council. USP’s proposal for a 2% salary adjustment for 2024 is rejected outright by both unions. The insignificant 2% is well below the cost of living. To quote the Deputy Prime Minister and Minster for Finance, Professor Biman Parad ‘as inflation is expected to be 6% by the end of the year and according to the Reserve Bank of Fiji, it could impact people’s savings, spending and loan repayment abilities…….The formal sector average salaries and wages in the country has increased by 25% compared to 2019 and is cushioning the impact of inflation’. (FijiLive 7.11.2023). In the triennium of 2019-2021 USP revenue totaled a massive $52,954, 834.00 and no salary adjustment in consultation with the unions awarded to staff who surrendered benefits during this period.
Therefore, the Administrative and Support staff (I&J) seek the following:
Evidence is provided below:
Audited Financial Statements 2022
University Financial Performance 2019-2022
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to inform and update the Council on the progress on staff matters reported to the May 2023 Council (C95).
Executive Summary: (maximum 100 words summarising key points)
The USP staff across the 14 campuses acknowledge the Council’s support towards staff matters raised at the May 2023 Council with advice that the Management works with the staff members and unions to resolve issues.
Council should note that the issues were raised through fora of the SMT/Union Quarterly meetings and Staff Policy (one final meetings for the year for each remain outstanding) and it was only through decisions at Union meetings (AUSPS and USPSU - October 2023) that notified the Management of the decision that strike action compliant with Fiji Labour Laws was voted for, that the VC gave this priority and appointed the Chief Operating Officer and the Executive Director People and Workforce Strategy (EDPWS) to negotiate with the academic and professional staff on the Log of Claims submitted by AUSPS. The Log of Claims contained the issues submitted to the May Council.
The non-financial issues have been dealt with, however, for the salary adjustment, the management has advised that there is no room for negotiation. The staff noted the 2% in October 2022 and another 2% in January 2023 which were not backdated. In June 2023, an increment was given to qualifying staff excluding those who had received promotion in a 12-month period. Cost of living has skyrocketed and with what the university has saved in staff costs for positions not filled totals $14.8m.
The Log of Claims for which resolution was achieved comprised the following (refer to Appendix 1):
- Five year contracts for Teaching Assistants (TAs)
- Workload
- Job Evaluation
- Regional Employment
- Operationalising Policies
- Women in Higher Education
- Staff Retention
- MOA (2022-2024)
- Concession for University Staff Children Studying at USP
- Job Evaluation
UNRESOLVED ITEM IN LOG OF CLAIMS
Academic Staff Representation to Council
The attached submission (Appendix 2) to Senate 4/2023 on November 2 2023 outlined the proposal to replace the second senate professorial representative to Council by an academic voted by the academic non professorial categories, from AL to AP. The Chair of Senate did not support the proposal but referred the matter to a Working Group of Senate and informed the Senate that this proposal would require two readings of Senate. There is no policy justification regarding the need for a Working Group or the two readings. Senate should have discussed the proposal and voted on it.
Recommendation 1
That Council corrects the Senate to vote on this proposal that will see equitable representation on Council. Staff representatives on Council recall DPC Walsh’s support for this proposal.
NEW ISSUES
Item 1: Salary adjustment for Academics and Professional Staff
This is submitted for Council consideration and approval as the University Management has refused to discuss or negotiate any salary adjustment in good faith with staff representatives. The refusal to discuss and consider the increases is against the ILO Convention on Collect Bargaining and Council decision C95.
All levels of staff sacrificed salary adjustments in the 2019-2021 Triennium and 2022-2023 of the second triennium. This was in consideration of the uncertainties during COVID and the withholding of the Grant by Fiji Government for services rendered. In addition, the workload of many staff has doubled and trebled in the period with vacancies reported at 455 by the VCP at the May 2023 Council across the USP Regional campuses. The inadequate Extra Duties Allowance Policy has been recommended for review as it fails to reflect workloads and the lengthy periods of 12 months and more.
Therefore, Academic and Professional Staff seek the following:
- A 3% increase per annum in line with inflation as per Reserve Bank inflation rates noting the recent projected 6% inflation rate for 2023.
- The total requested is 15% for the 5-year period, 2019-2023
- Taking into account the 4% already granted; AUSPS seeks a 11% salary adjustment across the board
- Cost of the salary adjustment for Academic and Professional staff has been calculated at no more than $7.22m using the midpoint for each Level and Band without the superannuation. (Refer Appendix 3)
- That this is paid in Pay 25 this year.
- SMT exempted.
That Council approves the salary adjustments requested and payable in 2023 (Pay 25).
Item 2: Salary Adjustment for Administrative and Support Staff (I&J)
In the interests of efficiency and time, based on the decision to not negotiate with AUSPS on salary adjustment, the Administrative Staff Union (USPSU) is making a direct submission to Council. USP’s proposal for a 2% salary adjustment for 2024 is rejected outright by both unions. The insignificant 2% is well below the cost of living. To quote the Deputy Prime Minister and Minster for Finance, Professor Biman Parad ‘as inflation is expected to be 6% by the end of the year and according to the Reserve Bank of Fiji, it could impact people’s savings, spending and loan repayment abilities…….The formal sector average salaries and wages in the country has increased by 25% compared to 2019 and is cushioning the impact of inflation’. (FijiLive 7.11.2023). In the triennium of 2019-2021 USP revenue totaled a massive $52,954, 834.00 and no salary adjustment in consultation with the unions awarded to staff who surrendered benefits during this period.
Therefore, the Administrative and Support staff (I&J) seek the following:
- A 5% increase per annum
- The total requested is 25% for the period 2019-2023
- Taking into account the 4% already granted; USPSU seeks a 21% salary adjustment across the board
- Cost of the salary adjustment for Administrative and Support staff has been calculated at no more than $6.63m using the midpoint for each Grade without the superannuation. (Refer Appendix 4)
- That this is paid in Pay 25 this year.
- The 2% annual difference in the adjustment between AUSPS and USPSU is supported by AUSPS.
Evidence is provided below:
Audited Financial Statements 2022
University Financial Performance 2019-2022
Staff are aware that the FNU has awarded its staff 5% in October 2022 backdated to January 2022. In April 2023, another 2% backdated to January 2023 and a bonus of $1200 for each staff. In addition, staff who served 3-4 years were granted 1-2 incremental steps in their salary range and those on tenure got 3-4 incremental steps up.
The University has argued that it cannot pay and must set aside funds should the ADB call on its loan. This loan is payable to 2046 and annual payments are budgeted. This also applies to the FNPF loan etc.
We believe that USP as the premier higher education institution in the Pacific that the USP wishes to be known as that is in a position to respond positively to the staffs’ need and deserved request, reiterating for services rendered.
Item 3: FNPF additional 2% contribution
Recommendation 3
That the University revert to payment of the additional 2% over the statutory rate with effect from 1 January 2024.
Item 4: Council Secretariat and VCP failure to Communicate C95 outcomes to Staff
To date, the CSS which falls under the remit of the VCP failed to inform staff of the outcomes of the May 2023 Council Meeting despite requests made three working days after the May Council; at Senate and at the Union Quarterly Meeting with AUSPS. VCP response has been ` I will talk to Totivi’. This action is a denial of justice and transparency and good governance. It is an attempt to throttle the freedom of staff access to the information of Council on University matters that impact staff.
Recommendation 4
The Staff wish this noted as part of the VCP’s performance review as he signs off on the release by Secretariat.
Item 5: Vice Chancellor and President Position
The AUSPS Ordinary General Meeting held on 7 September 2023 voted by secret ballot (94%) to not support the re-appointment of the VCP Professor Pal Ahluwalia. USPSU held its Annual General Meeting on 7 September 2023 and voted unanimously to not support the re-appointment of the VCP. The unions also draw the Council’s attention to the ‘Ordinance to Govern the Terms and Conditions of Service of the Academic and Professional Staff of the University. Item 15 Retirement and Reemployment of Retirees ‘A member of staff shall retire at the end of the calendar year in which he/she attains the age of sixty-five’. The two Unions together represent over 600 members of staff. These have been conveyed to the Joint Committee of Council and Senate.
Recommendation 5
That Council proceeds to advertise the position of the VCP. That the position is not restricted to a Professor and serious consideration is given in the search of applicants for qualified regionals.
Item 6: Senate Nominee to the Joint Committee on the Reappointment of the VCP
The Staff question the process of appointment of Professor Surendra Prasad to replace Professor Maurizio Cirrincione on the Joint Committee of Council and Senate on the Reappointment of the VCP. Given that he only received 6 votes/38 votes (15.8%) and was deemed unsuccessful and validated by the committee comprising Mr Totivi Bokini- Ratu, Secretary to Council and Manager, Ms Neelta Goundar -HR Business Partner and Mr Avishay Raj- Deputy Director Finance on 7 June 2023, along with Professor Daud Hassan who was also deemed unsuccessful, fresh elections should have been called. With 6 votes, Professor Surendra Prasad does not have the confidence of the Senate members. Professor Cirrincione received 14 votes and Dr Tamara Osborne -Naikatini with 16 votes.
Recommendation 6
That Council notes this and sets a minimum voter percentage that reflects the confidence of the Senate.
Item 7: Intention to Reduce the Ratio of Professional Staff to Academic by 50% in 2024
The Plan proposed for 2024 and shared at the Staff Forum/VCP noted the University’s intention to reduce the ratio of professional staff to academic staff by 50% from 1: 2.62 to 1: 1.32. This will result in ongoing heavy workloads being currently experienced by Professional (Levels 1-5) and Administrative (I&J) (Grades 1-6) and likelihood of job losses. Given the structure of the University there is a need for multiple positions e.g. Finance, Library, ITS and Student Academic Services personnel. This is an alert to Council of the possible impact on both staff and quality of services to our students. People interaction is important.
Recommendation 7
Council to note and closely track impact on Professional staff positions in the 2024 Budget disucssions. A report to be presented to the May 2024 Council.
Item 8: Appointment of Dr Mahendra Reddy
The academic appointment of Dr Mahendra Reddy under the Appointment without Advertising Policy (Policy number: 1.6.4.41) has drawn the ire of all USP staff and some former academics. The staff have conveyed their concerns to the Vice Chancellor and President in a letter dated 3 November 2023. Academic merit and integrity under the USP values are intertwined and cannot be separated.
The concerns are as follows:
Recommendation 8
Item 9: Relocation of VCP and COO to Laucala Campus
Recommendation 9
Staff refer the Council to the Staff Paper (May 2023 Council) on the above matter. Ideally the relocation should take place in January 2024 in good time for the commencement of Semester 1 2024.
Item 10: Professor of Oceans and Climate Change
The issue of the renewal of contract for the Professor of Oceans and Climate Change is under challenge by a policy on the timing of submission for Staff Review and Contract renewal. Of international repute, the current holder raises the university’s profile as the highest-ranking researcher at USP with an H-Index of 64. With the income that she brings to the university and the reputation she has every effort should be made to retain her services for the benefit of the institution. Personal differences should be put aside.
Recommendation 10
That Council support the renewal of contract for one year as the incumbent turns 65 in June 2024 and the policy allows employment to December 2024.
Recommendation(s):
Recommendation 1
That Council corrects the Senate to vote on this proposal that will see equitable representation on Council. Staff representatives on Council recall DPC Walsh’s support for this proposal.
Recommendation 2
That Council approves the salary adjustments requested and payable in 2023 (Pay 25).
Recommendation 3
That the University revert to payment of the additional 2% over the statutory rate with effect from 1 January 2024.
Recommendation 4
The Staff wish this noted as part of the VCP’s performance review as he signs off on the release by Secretariat.
Recommendation 5
That Council proceeds to advertise the position of the VCP. That the position is not restricted to a Professor and serious consideration is given in the search of applicants for qualified regionals.
Recommendation 6
That Council notes this and sets a minimum voter percentage that reflects the confidence of the Senate.
Recommendation 7
Council to note and closely track impact on Professional staff positions in the 2024 Budget disucssions. A report to be presented to the May 2024 Council.
Recommendation 8
Recommendation 9
Staff refer the Council to the Staff Paper (May 2023 Council) on the above matter. Ideally the relocation should take place in January 2024 in good time for the commencement of Semester 1 2024.
Recommendation 10
That Council support the renewal of contract for one year as the incumbent turns 65 in June 2024 and the policy allows employment to December 2024.
The University has argued that it cannot pay and must set aside funds should the ADB call on its loan. This loan is payable to 2046 and annual payments are budgeted. This also applies to the FNPF loan etc.
We believe that USP as the premier higher education institution in the Pacific that the USP wishes to be known as that is in a position to respond positively to the staffs’ need and deserved request, reiterating for services rendered.
Item 3: FNPF additional 2% contribution
Recommendation 3
That the University revert to payment of the additional 2% over the statutory rate with effect from 1 January 2024.
Item 4: Council Secretariat and VCP failure to Communicate C95 outcomes to Staff
To date, the CSS which falls under the remit of the VCP failed to inform staff of the outcomes of the May 2023 Council Meeting despite requests made three working days after the May Council; at Senate and at the Union Quarterly Meeting with AUSPS. VCP response has been ` I will talk to Totivi’. This action is a denial of justice and transparency and good governance. It is an attempt to throttle the freedom of staff access to the information of Council on University matters that impact staff.
Recommendation 4
The Staff wish this noted as part of the VCP’s performance review as he signs off on the release by Secretariat.
Item 5: Vice Chancellor and President Position
The AUSPS Ordinary General Meeting held on 7 September 2023 voted by secret ballot (94%) to not support the re-appointment of the VCP Professor Pal Ahluwalia. USPSU held its Annual General Meeting on 7 September 2023 and voted unanimously to not support the re-appointment of the VCP. The unions also draw the Council’s attention to the ‘Ordinance to Govern the Terms and Conditions of Service of the Academic and Professional Staff of the University. Item 15 Retirement and Reemployment of Retirees ‘A member of staff shall retire at the end of the calendar year in which he/she attains the age of sixty-five’. The two Unions together represent over 600 members of staff. These have been conveyed to the Joint Committee of Council and Senate.
Recommendation 5
That Council proceeds to advertise the position of the VCP. That the position is not restricted to a Professor and serious consideration is given in the search of applicants for qualified regionals.
Item 6: Senate Nominee to the Joint Committee on the Reappointment of the VCP
The Staff question the process of appointment of Professor Surendra Prasad to replace Professor Maurizio Cirrincione on the Joint Committee of Council and Senate on the Reappointment of the VCP. Given that he only received 6 votes/38 votes (15.8%) and was deemed unsuccessful and validated by the committee comprising Mr Totivi Bokini- Ratu, Secretary to Council and Manager, Ms Neelta Goundar -HR Business Partner and Mr Avishay Raj- Deputy Director Finance on 7 June 2023, along with Professor Daud Hassan who was also deemed unsuccessful, fresh elections should have been called. With 6 votes, Professor Surendra Prasad does not have the confidence of the Senate members. Professor Cirrincione received 14 votes and Dr Tamara Osborne -Naikatini with 16 votes.
Recommendation 6
That Council notes this and sets a minimum voter percentage that reflects the confidence of the Senate.
Item 7: Intention to Reduce the Ratio of Professional Staff to Academic by 50% in 2024
The Plan proposed for 2024 and shared at the Staff Forum/VCP noted the University’s intention to reduce the ratio of professional staff to academic staff by 50% from 1: 2.62 to 1: 1.32. This will result in ongoing heavy workloads being currently experienced by Professional (Levels 1-5) and Administrative (I&J) (Grades 1-6) and likelihood of job losses. Given the structure of the University there is a need for multiple positions e.g. Finance, Library, ITS and Student Academic Services personnel. This is an alert to Council of the possible impact on both staff and quality of services to our students. People interaction is important.
Recommendation 7
Council to note and closely track impact on Professional staff positions in the 2024 Budget disucssions. A report to be presented to the May 2024 Council.
Item 8: Appointment of Dr Mahendra Reddy
The academic appointment of Dr Mahendra Reddy under the Appointment without Advertising Policy (Policy number: 1.6.4.41) has drawn the ire of all USP staff and some former academics. The staff have conveyed their concerns to the Vice Chancellor and President in a letter dated 3 November 2023. Academic merit and integrity under the USP values are intertwined and cannot be separated.
The concerns are as follows:
- He was a part of the Fiji Government that did not honour the decision of Parliament to pay its obligations and its outstanding member contribution due to USP. This was a clear attempt to destroy USP as a regional institution.
- Dr Reddy tried to undermine academic freedom by attacking the contribution of USP academics towards public policy debate in Fiji. This is evident from his statements in and outside of the Fiji Parliament.
- Dr Reddy was part of a Government that placed the regionally owned University in financial jeopardy that the students and staff of 12 countries are still feeling the effects of and now will be a beneficiary of the funds for personal gain that he voted to withhold for no valid reason. Staff increased workloads at all levels and negative impact on staff health are the result of the actions/decisions he took as a member of the Fiji First Government.
- His actions in Parliament went against the USP values that we are all measured against and expected to uphold. This raises serious questions about Dr Reddy’s ethics and integrity.
- Dr Reddy has been out of academia since joining politics in 2014 and his research output is zero over the last 6 years. https://academiainsider.com/what-is-a-good-h-index-for-each-academic-position/
Recommendation 8
- The staff request the Council to bear this in mind on the reappointment of the VCP.
- That Dr Reddy is not offered a new contract.
Item 9: Relocation of VCP and COO to Laucala Campus
Recommendation 9
Staff refer the Council to the Staff Paper (May 2023 Council) on the above matter. Ideally the relocation should take place in January 2024 in good time for the commencement of Semester 1 2024.
Item 10: Professor of Oceans and Climate Change
The issue of the renewal of contract for the Professor of Oceans and Climate Change is under challenge by a policy on the timing of submission for Staff Review and Contract renewal. Of international repute, the current holder raises the university’s profile as the highest-ranking researcher at USP with an H-Index of 64. With the income that she brings to the university and the reputation she has every effort should be made to retain her services for the benefit of the institution. Personal differences should be put aside.
Recommendation 10
That Council support the renewal of contract for one year as the incumbent turns 65 in June 2024 and the policy allows employment to December 2024.
Recommendation(s):
Recommendation 1
That Council corrects the Senate to vote on this proposal that will see equitable representation on Council. Staff representatives on Council recall DPC Walsh’s support for this proposal.
Recommendation 2
That Council approves the salary adjustments requested and payable in 2023 (Pay 25).
Recommendation 3
That the University revert to payment of the additional 2% over the statutory rate with effect from 1 January 2024.
Recommendation 4
The Staff wish this noted as part of the VCP’s performance review as he signs off on the release by Secretariat.
Recommendation 5
That Council proceeds to advertise the position of the VCP. That the position is not restricted to a Professor and serious consideration is given in the search of applicants for qualified regionals.
Recommendation 6
That Council notes this and sets a minimum voter percentage that reflects the confidence of the Senate.
Recommendation 7
Council to note and closely track impact on Professional staff positions in the 2024 Budget disucssions. A report to be presented to the May 2024 Council.
Recommendation 8
- The staff request the Council to bear this in mind on the reappointment of the VCP.
- That Dr Reddy is not offered a new contract.
Recommendation 9
Staff refer the Council to the Staff Paper (May 2023 Council) on the above matter. Ideally the relocation should take place in January 2024 in good time for the commencement of Semester 1 2024.
Recommendation 10
That Council support the renewal of contract for one year as the incumbent turns 65 in June 2024 and the policy allows employment to December 2024.
