The University, through the efforts of key administrators appointed to comprise two Central Administration Teams or CAT, successfully completed the negotiations for the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with two of its partner labor unions.  

These unions are the recognized respective bargaining agents of the non-teaching staff, Xavier University Non-Teaching Employees Labor Union (XUNTELU–ALU-TUCP), as well as the Grade School teachers, Xavier University Grade School Faculty Employees Labor Union (XUGSFELU–ALU-TUCP).

CBA Negotiations with XUNTELU

Since 2021, following an agreed 1-year term extension of the last CBA in response to the pandemic that time, both the appointed CAT and XUNTELU’s negotiating team discussed the renewal of the CBA. The resulting negotiations faced numerous interruptions and delays due to arising issues and challenges. Despite this, both parties did not give up hope of concluding an agreement, sharing a common belief in labor-management cooperation. This led to the resumption of negotiations in May this year after both parties declared a deadlock in October 2024.

With the assistance of the local Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) as well as the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB), negotiations were finally concluded on August 8 this year. In a signing ceremony held in the Main Campus on 22 August, both parties finally signed a renewed collective bargaining agreement.

In his message during the signing ceremony, Fr Mars P Tan SJ, University President, said he was sincerely thankful to the members of the CAT as well the union’s panel for their accomplishment despite the long wait and the trials both teams faced, all of whom have strived for the welfare and benefit of the University’s employees.

For his part, Union Panel Chair and Vice President Edreich Dane M Sabellano also expressed his gratitude towards all involved, especially the University President.

DOLE-X Regional Director Atty Joffrey M Suyao, who graced the ceremony, congratulated both the management and the union, underscoring the importance of a mutual working relationship between both parties which is what their agency constantly promotes and advocates to all unionized establishments.

2025 CBA signing ceremony between XU and XUNTELU–ALU-TUCP at Main Campus AVR 1 attended by University President Fr Mars P Tan SJ,
DOLE-X Regional Director Atty Joffrey M Suyao and Mediator-Arbiter Atty Amor Condeo T Bajarla, NCMB-X Regional Director Aerrine Marie
“Nonnette” R Reyes, CAT Chair and HR Director Lan Zonito Q Espinosa, Union Panel Chair and Vice President Edreich Dane M Sabellano, and
the rest of the members of both negotiating panels and some University administrators.

CBA Mid-Term Renegotiations with XUGSFELU

On the other hand, the University also signed the renegotiated economic provisions of its collective bargaining agreement with the XUGSFELU, the Grade School faculty union. By June this year, mid-term renegotiations of the CBA’s economic provisions began and were concluded only after three sessions. The ensuing Memorandum of Agreement was signed by both negotiating panels in a ceremony held at the
GS Campus on 15 October.

Once again, University President Fr Mars P Tans SJ offered his heartfelt gratitude to both teams, especially for a smooth and speedy conclusion to the negotiations.

Union Panel Chair and President Rodel R. Nagac also gave thanks and remarked that, though this was their team’s first foray into such bargaining, they appreciated the ease with which the negotiations with the CAT went.

NCMB-X Regional Director Aerrine Marie “Nonnette” R Reyes, who also attended the ceremony, applauded both the management and the union for working together without the need of their agency’s intervention.   She prayed that both parties remain steadfast in its continuing pursuit of harmonious labor relations and industrial peace for the benefit of the Xavier Ateneo community.

Fr Ismael Jose III V Chan-Gonzaga SJ led the Administration negotiating panel or CAT in closing the deal prior to his study leave.

2025 CBA MOA signing ceremony between XU and XUGSFELU–ALU-TUCP at GS Campus Pre-Fab attended
by University President Fr Mars P Tan SJ, DOLE-X Senior Labor and Employment Officer Atty Safrali S Cabili, NCMB-X
Regional Director Aerrine Marie “Nonnette” R Reyes, CAT Vice Chair and HR Director Lan Zonito Q Espinosa, Union Panel Chair
and President Rodel R Nagac, and the rest of the members of both negotiating panels and some GS administrators.