AFTER A series of deadlocks and negotiations with the administration, the UST Faculty Union (USTFU) has finally ratified the collective bargaining agreement (CBA), greenlighting the release of the academic staff’s long-awaited tuition increase shares worth P220 million.
A total of 1,410 union members voted to ratify the 2021-2026 CBA, comprising about 97% of the 1,456 total casted votes. Only 30 were not in favor of the agreement, while 16 ballots were deemed invalid.
“This overwhelming approval rate of nearly 97% among valid votes represents not only a strong mandate for the agreement, but a historic moment of unity and strength for USTFU,” union chief Asst. Prof. Emerito Gonzales said in a statement on Wednesday, June 11.
“Consistent with the pronouncements of UST Management and the Fr. Rector during negotiations—that the faculty’s share from the Tuition Fee Increase (TFI) can be released upon ratification—we shall respectfully request the immediate release of said amount, in accordance with the schedule and provisions of the newly ratified CBA, at the soonest and most reasonable time,” he added.
The deal was ratified through a two-day online voting process from June 10 to 11. This followed the signing of the CBA provisions a week after the final meeting among the faculty union, UST administration and the labor department’s National Conciliation and Mediation Board.
With the CBA ratified, faculty members are set to receive their tuition hike shares for the academic years 2021-2022 to 2023-2024.
Full-time academic staff will also be given full medical expenses coverage, while 50% will be granted for part-time faculty members per utilization. The system will be put under a two-year trial and will replace the P100,000 annual medical coverage for faculty members, an arrangement implemented for two decades.
Prior to the agreement, USTFU and the administration had been in conflict over the release of the tuition hike funds, with the faculty union persistently demanding its release. The University had repeatedly insisted on withholding the amount without a signed CBA to supposedly prevent legal issues.
“It is our sincere hope that the ratification of this CBA will usher in a new era of industrial peace—one built on mutual respect, genuine partnership, constructive dialogue and a shared commitment to upholding the dignity of labor in support of the University’s mission and vision,” Gonzales said.
Adding that the issue does not end with the CBA’s ratification, The USTFU chief urged faculty members to remain involved and informed to make sure that each provision of the deal is properly and fully implemented.
“Thus, let me announce today that within two weeks after ratification, USTFU will submit its formal proposal for the renegotiation of the remaining two years of the CBA. We will begin again—not because we are dissatisfied, but because our work is unfinished,” Gonzales said during the union’s general assembly on June 10.
Among the USTFU proposals that may be subjected to renegotiation is the permanent separation of the tuition hike share discussion from the CBA negotiations. According to Gonzales, the tuition share is already a benefit of the faculty and can be discussed legally outside the CBA.
If the administration rejects the proposal, the union would continue to lobby for it through the next CBA proposals in August next year. F – M. A. Selda
