JUST in time for the holiday season, the University of Baguio management and the University of Baguio Faculty and Education Workers’ Union (UBFEWU) finally signed a new Collective Bargaining Agreement.

The UBFEWU Bargaining Team headed by president, Rafael Marzan assisted by Dr. Cristina Lapao, Nelson Odasco, John Balanquit, Grace Dueñas, and Rizalina Elegado. The Management Team was headed by Atty. Rommel Ayson, vice-president for Administration, Dr. Armando Castañeda, vice - president for Academic Affairs, Dr. Demetrio Daet, Dean of the School of Dentistry, Eduardo Zuñiga, University Accountant,

The UBFEWU Bargaining Team headed by president, Rafael Marzan assisted by Dr. Cristina Lapao, Nelson Odasco, John Balanquit, Grace Dueñas, and Rizalina Elegado. The Management Team was headed by Atty. Rommel Ayson, vice-president for Administration, Dr. Armando Castañeda, vice - president for Academic Affairs, Dr. Demetrio Daet, Dean of the School of Dentistry, Eduardo Zuñiga, University Accountant,

and Fely Beltran, former University Accountant. The negotiation took place from October 17 to 26, 2016.

The ratification of the new Agreement ushers in a number of benefits for the institution’s members.

Among the milestones to this agreement are the compulsory retirement age at 60-years-old with the employees still having the option to retire as early as 55-years-old and employees option to retire at the age of 50-years-old; the reasonable adjustments of particular allowances and benefits enjoyed by the employees; the lessening of the ratio to pay graduate school scholarships from one year of service to one semester of studies to one semester of service to one semester of studies; the classification of employees has been updated as well based on the MORPHE (Manual of Regulations for Private Higher Education) and the MORBE (Manual of Regulations for Basic Education); the strengthening of the grievance machinery proceedings and internal conflict resolution processes to maintain harmonious relationship.

Among the milestones to this agreement are the compulsory retirement age at 60-years-old with the employees still having the option to retire as early as 55-years-old and employees option to retire at the age of 50-years-old; the reasonable adjustments of particular allowances and benefits enjoyed by the employees; the lessening of the ratio to pay graduate school scholarships from one year of service to one semester of studies to one semester of service to one semester of studies; the classification of employees has been updated as well based on the MORPHE (Manual of Regulations for Private Higher Education) and the MORBE (Manual of Regulations for Basic Education); the strengthening of the grievance machinery proceedings and internal conflict resolution processes to maintain harmonious relationship.

In general, the Union and Management agreed to give premium rights and privileges to permanent employees.

The CBA was a product of a process of review and deliberations by the Union and Management, separately. The signing of the new CBA could not have been more timely, as it not only ushers to a new era but also done amid challenges brought about by the impact of the K to 12 program to the university’s enrollment.

The CBA was a product of a process of review and deliberations by the Union and Management, separately. The signing of the new CBA could not have been more timely, as it not only ushers to a new era but also done amid challenges brought about by the impact of the K to 12 program to the university’s enrollment.

Both Union and the Management were in the best of intentions to go to the bargaining table to settle some differences to continue on having fruitful, great and lasting partnership needed to achieve the Vision, Mission and Objectives of the University of Baguio. Caitlin Yabut/UB