UST will only release the faculty’s share of the tuition hike for the last two academic years once the new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) has been finalized, following concerns over the delay of the disbursement that allegedly causes a “financial strain” on its academic personnel.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Oct. 15, the University said the immediate release of 70% of the tuition hike proceeds for academic years 2021-2022 and 2023-2024 would be stalled until talks on the revised CBA have concluded, citing a memorandum order from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
“The University is committed to working in good faith with USTFU (UST Faculty Union) to expedite the negotiations and come to an agreement that is fair and beneficial for all parties involved. However, until such negotiations are finalized, we must adhere to the legal guidelines and requirements established by CHED,” the statement read.
Under Republic Act 6728 or the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education Act, higher education institutions must allocate 70% of their tuition increase to salaries, wages, allowances and other benefits of teaching and non-teaching personnel. However, the commission requires that the share “may be provided for in the collective bargaining agreement.”
The University’s statement came in the wake of USTFU’s appeal to the rector to aid its employees under “economic and inflationary pressures” by distributing its members’ share ahead of the CBA’s conclusion.
“While we appreciate the efforts of the UST Administration CBA Panel, led by Dr. Cheryl Peralta, in addressing the ongoing [CBA] negotiations, we emphasize that the release of the TFI share is not dependent on the conclusion of these negotiations,” USTFU said in a letter dated Oct. 10.
The faculty union noted that former rector Fr. Rolando Dela Rosa allowed the release of the tuition increase share back in 1995 even though no collective bargaining deal had been settled.
“Fr. Dela Rosa recognizing ‘the paramount interests of all faculty members and their right to receive what is due them’ took the initiative to distribute the [tuition increase] share,” it said.
Meanwhile, the University said it has released the shares of employees from academic year 2016-2021, which was covered by a previous CBA.
The current agreement still under negotiation covers the years 2021 to 2026. F
