Xavier University and XU Non-teaching Employees Union (XUNTELU) have resolved the Christmas gratuity dispute during the final conciliation conference on Tuesday, November 22 at the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) - Region 10.
“I am very pleased to announce that at the conciliation conference today, 22 November 2016, at the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) - Region 10, the dispute between Xavier University and XU Non-teaching Employees Union (XUNTELU) was resolved amicably,” said XU president Fr Roberto C Yap SJ in his latest memo to the academic community.
The resolution included the withdrawal of XUNTELU-ALU-TUCP’s Notice of Strike and Xavier’s Notice to Arbitrate and its Petition to the DOLE Secretary to Assume Jurisdiction.
Both parties further agreed to the following:
1. XU agrees to give each employee, Php2,700 as Christmas cash gift in 2016.
2. XU agrees to give each employee, Php1,800 as Christmas cash gift in 2017.
3. The sources of the Christmas cash gift shall be left to the sole discretion of the University President subject to the condition that it shall not diminish existing Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) benefits.
4. XUNTELU-ALU-TUCP shall lift its nightly picket.
“With this resolution, I am very happy to announce that classes and activities at XU will proceed normally. And we will certainly celebrate Xavier Festival Days as one community on December 1 to 3, 2016,” Yap said.
He expressed his gratitude to the people who were instrumental to the success of the negotiations.
“I would like to thank the XUNTELU officers and members for their cooperation at reaching this resolution. I would also to thank my management team, especially to our human resources director Ms Ma Soledad DF Amir, university treasurer Ms Lennie K Ong, and VP for administration Mr Edison B Sasoy for their patience and perseverance in searching for a fair resolution,” he said.
The Jesuit-run university president also thanked the Xavier Ateneo community for their optimism and understanding in the process.
“Most of all, I would like to thank the Xavier Ateneo community – students, parents, faculty, staff, administrators, trustees, and alumni – for their prayers and understanding. May this resolution be the first step in the journey of healing and rebuilding trust.”
Yap ended his message with an invitation to unite as a community: “May the coming celebrations of the Feast of St Francis Xavier, Advent, and Christmas be a time for our Xavier Ateneo community to grow stronger and more united in the service of our educational mission.” ∎