By Kean Andrei Bagaipo and Carla Adeline Via
With the ongoing labor dispute and negotiation deadlock against the administration, the Silliman University Faculty Association (SUFA) rallied for “open dialogue, fair labor practice, and just wages” in a silent protest last Feb. 5.
Over 50 faculty members wore red while raising banners and placards fronting the Luce Auditorium, ahead of the All-University Academic Convocation.
“New Motto in Silliman: Fragility, Sustainability, Affordability?” SUFA wrote in its banner.
SUFA Vice-President Karl James Villarmea said that the demonstration was held to show their “public expression of grievance” against the SU administration and the Board of Trustees (BOT).
Despite the current deadlock situation, SUFA has been asking to meet the administration to continue the conciliation and mediation between the two parties.
“We have been insisting that we need to do this to continue to find ways to resolve the issue, but for the last two weeks, there has never been one,” Villarmea said.
The union’s request to resume the negotiations was made following the end of the 30-day cooling-off period last Dec. 18, where both parties failed to reach an agreement.
Villarmea stressed that the administration remains “indifferent to the plight of the faculty,” prompting them to protest during a university event.
Harassment complaints
Following the protest, SUFA wrote in a Facebook post that they have received reports of “harassment and intimidation” among members who participated in the said movement.
“We have indeed received reports concerning administrators making side comments and uttering statements that, in the context of a labor dispute, could easily be construed as intimidation and harassment against us,” Villarmea stated.
He added that they are closely monitoring and documenting such reports and will “not hesitate” to file a case against administrators who will “cross the line.”
Meanwhile, the administration filed a case for Unfair Labor Practice at the National Labor Relations Commission, accusing SUFA of blue-sky bargaining. The same case was also filed against the union several years ago.
Looming strike
When asked about the impending strike, Villarmea responded that it “remains to be determined” as they are considering the state of students’ education.
“But we won’t hesitate to exercise our constitutional right to stage this strike sooner rather than later,” he added.
The union also urged the BOT to talk to them and consider the concerns of the faculty.
In response to this, the SU Administration released a statement on Feb. 11 via their Facebook page, stating that they are “committed to exploring all possible avenues to resolve the dispute.”
SU also clarified that while they are maintaining their negotiation parameters, the administration respects the rights of the workers to arrange a strike.
Moreover, SUFA submitted its Official Strike Vote Report to the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) last Feb. 7.
In accordance with the law, the union will have the legal right to proceed with the strike after the mandatory seven-day strike ban following the NCMB report.
SU eyes faculty development
During the academic convocation, SU President Betty Cernol-McCann presented the university’s key strategic directions, which include “upskilling faculty” by expanding foreign partnerships for educational exchange programs.
“We enter into a memorandum of understanding or a memorandum of agreement with various universities that [will] allow us to accept visiting professors or for us to have student exchange or our professors,” McCann explained.
The initiative further aims to complement the local faculty with the presence of international professors through flexible delivery.
In response to these initiatives, Villarmea said, “We consider this a demonstration of our commitment to provide the best educational and learning experience to our students–our topmost priority as educators and teachers.”
However, he noted that the union will “remain cautious” as they have not reviewed the program closely, hoping that it will provide academic growth for all university sectors.
This report is part of a developing story on the ongoing labor disputes between SUFA and the SU administration.
