EMPLOYEE unions have urged UST Rector Fr. Richard Ang, O.P. to back their efforts in challenging Manila’s health permit ordinance, arguing that its implementation is “discriminatory” and threatens to disrupt the smooth operation of UST.
In a letter addressed to the UST community on July 31, the deadline set for securing health permits, labor unions under the Organisasyon ng Nagkakaisang Empleyado ng UST (ONE-UST), namely the UST Faculty Union (USTFU), Samahang Manggagawa ng UST (SM-UST), and Ugnayan ng Nagkakaisang Manggagawa ng UST Hospital (UNM-UST), reiterated their call for a meeting with the UST administration.
ONE-UST has been seeking a meeting with the UST administration since June.
“We call on the good Father Rector or his representative to schedule a meeting with us as soon as possible for clearly, this is a labor-management concern,” the statement read.
“We also urge the Father Rector to join us, along with labor unions in private educational institutions, organized workers, and student organizations, in calling for a review of City of Manila Ordinance 8793 and how it is being implemented in educational institutions,” it continued.
“The current implementation of the ordinance not only poses challenges for our workers but also threatens to disrupt the smooth functioning of our University.”
Manila Ordinance 8793, or the Sanitation and Disinfection Code of the City of Manila, was enacted on Dec. 2, 2021 to consolidate public health and sanitation laws covering establishments in Manila.
ONE-UST criticized the “discriminatory nature” of the ordinance’s implementation, claiming it was applied unfairly both within and outside the University.
The group pointed out that professionals who have obtained the annual professional tax receipt, including lawyers, doctors, and licensed teachers, are exempted from the requirement, which ONE-UST said “defeats the purpose of securing a health permit.”
“We are also aware that other educational institutions in Manila conduct annual medical examinations without requiring an additional health permit from the City Government,” it said.
The labor coalition also condemned the mandate for allegedly conflicting with the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and Department of Labor and Employment Order 53-03 from 2003, both of which require only random drug testing.
The Manila Health Department mandates that a drug test, urinalysis, and stool exam be performed at the frequently crowded and substandard public health laboratory on Alvarez Street, which was previously the location of the Sta. Cruz Public Library.
Substandard toilets, large crowds: UST unions complain vs Manila health permit
ONE-UST also requested the suspension of UST’s policy that blocks faculty without health permits from accessing their MyUSTe portal accounts until a dialogue can be arranged, stating that the policy has been “causing undue stress and anxiety.”
“While we appreciate the University’s effort to clarify the issues, the memorandum has unfortunately generated more concerns, fear, anger, and confusion among our ranks,” it said.
“We believe that workers are essential partners of the University, and it is incumbent on the institution to consult and dialogue with worker representatives on issues that affect them before issuing related memoranda.”
UST employees told: Submit health certificate or lose MyUSTe access by month’s end
The letter was signed by the presidents of the USTFU, SM-UST, and UNM-UST, the three labor unions that make up ONE-UST.
According to Assoc. Prof. Rene Tadle, president of the Arts and Letters Faculty Association, ONE-UST has requested a deadline extension to Aug. 31 from Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna but has yet to receive a response. with reports from Hannah Joyce V. Andaya