NON-NEGOTIABLE
No end in sight for University of San Agustin labor problem

By Erly C. Garcia

For the first time since the labor problem at the University of San Agustin (USA) broke up, university president Fr. Manuel Vergara along with other university officials faced the thousands of Augustinians in a dialogue organized by the University Student Council last Wednesday, August 3, 2005.

In what was considered a heated dialogue, one thing was made clear by Vergara: no reinstatement for the 17 dismissed union officials who are holding a protest action outside of the school for more than three months now.

In gist, Vergara and the other university officials pointed out that the issue of reinstatement is a legal issue which needs resolution by the court.

They called on the students to be rational and examine carefully the issues before readily listening to and joining the strikers.

Listening to the live coverage of the dialogue over the radio in their picket line outside the school, Theodore Neil Lasola, president of the University of San Agustin Employees Union (USAEU-FFW), lamented the hard stance of Vergara although he was happy that the students have opened up their minds.

Lasola said, at first they thought the dialogue was a “moro-moro” in favor of the administration since they were not invited however it turned out that many students who attended the dialogue were sympathetic to them.

“At least they (students) were able to air their grievances to the administration,” Lasola said.

The dialogue was organized by the University Student Council chaired by Deken Chua after some students have joined the protesters outside the school a few days ago.

Chua lamented that the continuing conflict between the strikers and the administration have affected the students.

Chua, however, stressed that the University Student Council does not take sides. He said they are merely pro-students.

Several students complained of the noise coming from the picket line which disturbs their classes.

Others complained of lack of teachers resulting to the dismissal of some of their teachers.

There were even some who complained of harassment after they were seen joining the picket line.

At times during the forum Vergara and other administration officials were booed by the students for insisting not to reinstate the dismissed union officials.

To note, the union officials want their reinstatement claiming that their dismissal was not yet final and executory.

The protesters have already entered their 102 nd day in the picket line yesterday.

Several local officials—including Gov. Niel Tupas, Mayor Jerry Treñas, and Archbishop Msgr. Angel Lagdameo—have tried to intervene in order to resolve the conflict but to no avail.

To recall, the university administration dismissed the 17 union officials following the declaration of the Court of Appeals that they conducted an illegal strike late last year.

The union officials have brought their case with the Supreme Court but the latter has not yet resolved the case.