Classes to start Feb 16
A STAND-OFF between Solomon Islands National University (SINU) lecturers and management over the past days has been finally resolved yesterday.
And SINU’s vice-chancellor Dr Glynn Galo praised all those involved for bringing the impasse to an amicable end.
“Classes will now start on Tuesday 17 February after the official opening of the 2015 academic year on Monday 16 at the Panatina Pavilion,” Dr Galo said.
He added a threat issued by Lecturers Association of SINU (LASINU) to boycott classes was now lifted and a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the two parties.
Dr Galo thanked the SINU Council and union reps of the lecturers for the fruitful and productive discussions they held that resulted in resolving the issue.
The vice-chancellor did not disclose the contents of the agreement.
Earlier, the lecturers issued threat to boycott classes over their employment status with SINU.
They said since the former Solomon Islands College of Higher Education (SICHE) was transformed to university status, they have not signed any contracts with SINU.
“During the time of transition from SICHE to SINU, we asked for redundancy but the management never considered our request.
“They instead allowed us to continue serving at SINU without any contracts.
“This is ridiculous. We felt the status of our employment with SINU is insecure,” they said.
It’s believed the agreement signed between the two parties made it mandatory for the SINU management to address the lecturers’ grievances.
