THE UST Faculty Union (USTFU) has raised the possibility of staging a strike as early as May 2 if the administration fails to resolve the ongoing impasse on the collective bargaining agreement (CBA).
In a tentative timeline showing its next course of action, the faculty union announced that it would file a notice of strike before the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) if no offer or agreement was made by the UST management on or before March 24, the last day of the “cooling off” period.
“Please note that this schedule is subject to change depending on external developments. Throughout this process, we ask for everyone’s cooperation, as our collective effort will be crucial in securing better benefits for all,” USTFU president Asst. Prof. Emerito Gonzales said.
The DOLE-National Conciliation and Mediation Board, which would then serve as mediators, has 30 days to reconcile both parties before a strike could be considered.
If the mediation board fails to create a deal on the disputes over the faculty members’ benefits, the USTFU would conduct a strike vote on April 24.
“If the vote is no, both parties return to the DOLE-NCMB negotiations. If the vote is yes, there will be a seven calendar waiting period before the actual strike. During which, the secretary of labor may assume jurisdiction,” USTFU said.
The faculty union is observing a five-day “cooling off period” following its declaration of a deadlock in the administration’s proposals for salary hike and benefits last March 14. During this period, the University management panel may present new offers to USTFU, while the union panel will speak with its general members through faculty clubs and associations
Included in the latest rejected CBA is the salary upgrade for teaching personnel in the tertiary rank and senior high school, which was reduced to P17 million from the initially proposed P26 million.
In a March 15 statement, the UST administration assured Thomasians that the impasse would not disrupt activities and campus operations and that it remains open to dialogue with the faculty to “uphold industrial peace.”
In a separate statement released on March 13, the University denied claims of unfair labor practices and stagnant faculty salaries, reiterating that it abides by Republic Act 6728 and a Commission on Higher Education (CHED) memorandum that mandate schools to allocate 70% of their tuition hike proceeds to teaching staff.
On March 7, CHED ordered UST to explain its alleged violation of policies on the distribution of tuition hikes to employees’ salaries. The University was given a 15-day deadline upon receiving the show-cause order to answer before the commission proceeds with “appropriate actions.” F
