Silliman teachers strike for higher pay, benefits

DUMAGUETE CITY — Teachers at Silliman University took to the streets Wednesday to demand higher wages and other benefits.

The Silliman University Faculty Association (SUFA) declared the strike after it failed to reach an agreement with the school administration on seven issues, said SUFA President Prof. Jan Credo.

Credo said they filed a notice of strike last March 31 but a new collective bargaining agreement could not be reached during at least one year of negotiations.

The demands of SUFA include a onetime bonus of 138,000, across-the-board increase of 11,500 on the 2nd year (effective June 1), across-the-board increase of 12,300 on the 3rd year (effective June 1, 2018); Christmas and Founders’ Day bonuses; K to 12 Transition Scholar’s Subsidy; reduction in class sizes in the Early Childhood (Kindergarten 1 and 2) and Elementary (Grades 1 and 2); improvement in the retirement pay; and the administration’s proposal of a Productivity Enhancement Incentive without conditions.

In all, the union is asking about 186 million, and the Silliman University administration has made a counter-offer of P63 million.

During a press conference Wednesday, the school administration’s negotiating panel said the university cannot afford the union’s demands, citing a drop in enrollment this year and a smaller income due to the transition to the K to 12 program, among other reasons.

It said it could only afford 163 million since Silliman is also looking at “sustainability” in the coming years.

SUFA members said that while teachers are being paid a monthly salary of from 119,000 to 140,000, top management level officials are getting 180,000 to 1100,000 a month.

Joshua Ablong, a member of the administration’s negotiating panel and chief of the Human Resources Division, confirmed during a press conference that the university president receives 1100,000 a month in wages.

The Silliman administration has assured that “adaptive measures” are being taken so classes would not be disrupted by the strike.

Credo said the union has 280 members although some of the teachers did not join in the strike on the first day.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) and the Tripartite Industrial Peace Council (TIPC) were scheduled to meet separately on Thursday with the school administration and the union. (PNA)