UST Faculty Union strikes over salary, benefits

The University of Santo Tomas Faculty Union declared a strike on Tuesday after failing to reach an agreement on salary wages and benefits for teachers.

The union filed a notice of strike with the Department of Labor and Employment's National Conciliation and Mediation Board following a deadlock in collective bargaining agreement negotiations.

Emerito Gonzales, the union president, cited a four-year delay in backpay totaling around P220 million as a primary reason for the strike.

The union accused the university administration of violating Republic Act 6728 and CHED Memorandum Order 8, series of 2012, which mandate that 70% of tuition fee increases must go toward salaries and benefits for teaching personnel.

In addition to backwages, staff medical benefits have remained unchanged since 1998, leading the union to demand comprehensive health coverage or full hospitalization at UST Hospital.

UST officials countered that they have allocated P220 million for teaching staff as part of the legally mandated share in tuition fee increases but cannot release it without a ratified bargaining agreement.

The university administration promised to take necessary measures to maintain the academic schedule despite the impending strike.