EDITORIAL

Last recourse

A day after holding their prayer rallyfor a peaceful resolution of the row with the school administration, the University of San Agustin Employees Union marched out of their classrooms and announced they are going on a strike.

They are accusing the management of union busting.

But for the management, they were just following the decision of the Court of Appeals to the letter.

And now it has come to a point where the employees are getting hold of their last weapon to protect their interest and push for their demands.

The labor dispute will, no doubt, adversely affect the school.

Because of the strike, parents will hesitate to enroll their children with a school that has problems regarding its teachers.

For why would parents still send their children to a school that is not in accord with its teachers?

Chances are that enrollment come June this year will drop drastically.

Because of Fr. Manuel Vergara's refusal to compromise, the problem grew into something more than just a labor dispute.

At stake now is the University's capacity to provide quality education.

The question now is: How can a troubled institution like the University of San Agustin maintain its high standard of education without its teachers?

The ball is now with the school administration.

They have the ball. They may, or may not, dribble it.

But they must act fast to defuse the situation and redeem its battered image.

Otherwise, San Agustin will be known as a catholic school that doesn't know how to treat well its employees.