The University of Santo Tomas (UST) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting its academic staff despite the notice of strike filed by the UST Faculty Union (USTFU), following a deadlock in negotiations for the 2021-2026 collective bargaining agreement (CBA).
In a statement, UST emphasized that its academic staff is integral to the university’s tradition of excellence, calling them “the most vital resource” in fulfilling its mission.
“Through steadfast support during transitions and disruptions, equitable resource utilization, and a focus on prioritized needs, UST fosters an environment where talent thrives, innovation flourishes, and the Thomasian spirit of excellence endures,” the statement read.
The university highlighted its ongoing efforts to provide faculty members with opportunities for professional growth, including subsidized graduate studies, research grants, and career advancement initiatives.
UST also pointed out its longstanding support for faculty members pursuing further education, noting that over 600 academic staff have completed graduate studies at local and international institutions, with tuition subsidies and grants to assist their academic pursuits.
The university also said it offers paid study leave for faculty members pursuing doctoral degrees through its Degree Acceleration program.
The current CBA dispute stems from USTFU’s claim that the university has not released the faculty’s share from tuition fee increases.
The union alleges that the refusal violates Republic Act 6728, which mandates that 70 percent of any tuition increase be allocated to the salaries and benefits of teaching and non-teaching personnel.
According to USTFU, over P220 million collected from tuition hikes between 2020 and 2023 should have been distributed to faculty.
In response, UST reiterated its commitment to resolving the issue through continued collaboration with USTFU.
“UST remains committed to attracting, developing, and retaining top talent to sustain its tradition of excellence. Policies, compensation, and benefits are regularly reviewed and updated to ensure they align with the needs and expectations of every sector within the University,” it said.
UST added that it approaches CBA negotiations as a collaborative platform for meaningful dialogue with USTFU, with a focus on balancing the needs for professional growth and institutional stability.
“Central to this process is the distinction between needs essential for professional growth and institutional stability and wants, which, while valuable, may require careful evaluation and prioritization as the management addresses the concerns of our academic staff along with other equally important stakeholders,” it said.
The university highlighted that while some immediate needs may be addressed in the current CBA cycle, others could be deferred or re-evaluated based on urgency and alignment with shared goals.