Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — LBJ hospital’s move to reassign their Human Resources director, Savali Sunia-Ulutu to the dialysis division “is an internal confidential operation decision.”

This is according to the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer Moefaauo Bill Emmsley, in response to questions from Samoa News.

As reported last week, Moefaauo reassigned Sunia-Ulutu and appointed Finance Controller Tiilili Tone-Maiieaotee as Acting director of HR.

This is pending the HR director’s position being advertised.

 This was confirmed in a memorandum dated January 3, 2023 and issued by the CEO on Wednesday and obtained by Samoa News.

Asked as to what prompted the personnel changes, Moefaau said: “this is an internal confidential operation decision.”

When asked if it has anything to do with the nurses salaries, the CEO uttered the same answer: “this is an internal confidential operation decision.”

In his memo issued last week, Moefaauo said the reassignment of Ms. Savali Sunia-Ulutu compelled him to select an acting director for Human Resources to fill the impeding vacancy.

“As such, I hereby, appoint, Ms. Tulili, on a temporary basis, to maintain the continuity of Human Resource's operation, while said post of Director for HR is being advertised and eventually filled,” said Moefaauo.

The CEO said Tulili's interim post was effective immediately and would remain in force until further notice.

 “Tulili shall have full authority to operate at her new capacity, in accordance to standard policies, established procedures, and approved chain of command structure.

 “As usual, please extend to Tulili your usual support and afford her with proper courtesies, befitting to the office she is about to occupy.”

The personnel changes came several weeks after nurses walked out from the hospital and opted to strike after claiming poor working conditions at the hospital, including unpaid promised salary adjustments; unpaid overtime and unpaid excess leave.

Samoa News also reported the nurses have since received their salary boost and got their leave paid, which amounted to close to half a million dollars.

“Every nurse [received their salary adjustments], we also paid out their excess leave. A total of $50,000 was paid out for all their excess leave and their salary adjustments amounted to $375,000,” said Moefaauo.

“The nurses deserve the salary adjustment — but they were not patient — because it was all part of the plan.

“But what they did was uncalled for; I mean it’s their right, but they should have been patient,” said Moefaauo, who added that he would now “expect more” in terms of service from the nurses.