THE UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas Faculty Union (USTFU) has submitted its proposal for the renegotiation of the 2021-2026 collective bargaining agreement (CBA).
In an interview after the union’s March 13 general assembly, USTFU President Emerito Gonzales said a reply was expected within 10 calendar days upon receipt, in accordance with the labor code.
“Kapag may counter proposal na, magme-meet na kami…So, we are waiting, ‘yong 10 days namin tumatakbo na,” he said.
In June 2025, USTFU ratified a new salary and benefits deal, with 1,410 votes from union members.
Among the key provisions of the CBA is the 100% hospitalization coverage, which is now in trial period, lowered emergency loan interest rate, additional vacation leave days, and the P220 million share in tuition increases from Academic Years 2021-2022 and 2023-2024.
Gonzales did go into details, but by law, economic provisions of the CBA undergo renegotiation in the middle of its five-year term.
It was earlier reported that union and management negotiators had agreed to defer the salary restructuring for Senior High School faculty to the renegotiation period.
Disagreements over the faculty CBA led to the filing of a strike notice before the National Conciliation and Mediation Board in March 2025.
Union negotiators initially planned a strike vote in May 2025, but it was cancelled after the management and the union reached a compromise deal.
Quorum not met
During the March 13 general assembly, the quorum was not met. Exactly 696 votes were needed to approve of union decisions. The assembly was short of 84 votes.
Gonzales, whose term as president will end on March 31, said that the approval of the P1.8-million donation to Caritas Philippines for the victims of typhoons could not be made without a quorum.
“Explain ko na lang kay Bishop [Gerardo Alminaza], ‘yong susunod na set of officers, sila na ‘yung [mag-aayos] doon,” he said.
Alminaza, the president of Caritas Philippines, the Church charity entity, presided over the Mass before the USTFU assembly.
USTFU had decided to forego of its Christmas gathering in 2025 and donate the proceeds to typhoon victims.
USTFU invited three speakers to the labor education part of its assembly: Sen. Risa Hontiveros, Kamanggagawa Rep. Elijah San Fernando, and labor leader Sonny Matula. Carlo Jose H. Ruga
