The Silliman University Faculty Association has announced a deadlock in the Midterm Negotiations with the University for the remaining two years of the 2021-2026 Collective Bargaining Agreement.
In a press conference, SUFA President Jonathan Mark Te said that while the Administration panel maintains that the negotiation should be based only on the 70 percent of Tuition Fee Increment (TFI) proceeds, the SUFA believes that the 70 percent of the TFI should be the minimum and not the maximum budget.
Te presented audited financial statements to show that the University has reported significant excess of revenues from 2019 to 2024.
The Union said the University’s general fund has more than doubled in just a few years to P865.3 million in 2024.
indicating that it has the financial capacity to support salary increases and additional benefits beyond the limitations of the 70 percent of tuition fee increment proceeds.
The SUFA said the SU admin negotiating panel’s position is an indication that they are negotiating in bad faith.
They also accused the University of refusing to engage sincerely in resolving issues, limitation of authority to negotiate effectively, failure to provide accurate or complete information and presentation of regressive offers disguised as improvements.
Te said they are asking the University to put premium on people instead of buildings.
The University has yet to issue a statement. (Alex Pal)