Teachers and employees of private and public universities stand united in fighting to uphold their rights and welfare. Through negotiations for their collective bargaining agreement (CBA), teachers’ unions are advocating for fair wages, benefits, and other rights.

On March 25, the University of Santo Tomas Faculty Union (USTFU) trooped to the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) office of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Intramuros, Manila, to file a notice of strike. Over a year of unresolved disagreements with the administration regarding the CBA for 2021-2026 prompted the union to file this.

The union declared a deadlock on March 14 due to the administration’s unacceptable offers. The USTFU’s demands include 100% health benefits for all union members, a higher budget for promotions, and other benefits.

USTFU held a night of prayer and solidarity on campus on March 26, a day after filing the notice of strike. Members of the Ugnayan ng mga Nagkakaisang Manggagawa ng UST Hospital and Tomasino youth joined their action.

At Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU), the Lyceum Faculty Association (LFA) decided to also file a notice of strike on March 26 due to deadlock in CBA negotiations. The LFA is demanding higher wages, allowances, and the removal of mandatory retirement for teachers after 20 years of service in their CBA.

Aside from UST and LPU, negotiations are also ongoing for faculty unions at Siliman University and Centro Escolar University.

Meanwhile, Benguet State University (BSU) employees under the Job Order (JO) and Contract of Service (COS) system succeeded in having the administration withdraw an unjust provision in the agreement. On March 24, BSU attempted to force JO/COS workers to sign an agreement stating that they would only receive wages when the university has sufficient funds.

Long before this controversial provision, wages of contractual employees were already being constantly delayed. Reports show they have yet to receive their February salaries, while some have yet to receive their January pay.

With their plight exposed to the public, BSU was compelled to issue a statement clarifying the matter. The university administration said it currently lacks funds, but assured JO/COS workers that they would be paid.

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers and its chapters expressed full support in these struggles and battles of teachers.