CoTeSCUP-Solidarity-Message

STATEMENT OF SOLIDARITY We, the members of the Council of Teachers and Staff of Colleges and Universities of the Philippines (CoTeSCUP), stand in solidarity with you teachers and employees of De La Salle Araneta University. As permanent learning partners and employees of your beloved institution you have taken a bold step and in good faith promoting the rights of workers and the dignity of work. We understand your predicament and we support you in your fight for preservation of jobs. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that the teachers and non-academic personnel have exerted and sacrificed so much to respond to the demands and challenges on the educational sector under the new normal. The educational system continues to work and are able to respond to the needs and expectations of students and other stakeholders because of the heroic efforts of individuals like you--teachers and non-academic personnel of DLSAU. Unfortunately, just like our colleagues in other Philippine private schools, when the going gets tough, we are the first ones to be shown the exit door. We strongly believe, that while the law recognizes management prerogative, management must observe its prerogative in JUST, HUMANE and LAWFUL manner. We pray that the De La Salle Araneta University management will observe due process and utmost transparency in implementing its sustainability plan particularly on right-sizing its workforce that affects sixteen (16) of its faculty members. We pray as well that the institution will adhere to the mandate of the Labor Code and the existing Collective Bargaining Agreement. CoTeSCUP condemns all forms violations of workers right to job security. The COVID-19 pandemic cannot and should not be used—in the absence of moral and legal basis—as an excuse for dismissal, redundancy, and retrenchment of workers. Mindful of the 130 years of the Catholic social teachings that focus on social and economic justice, CoTeSCUP believes that the University’s “bottom- line” should not justify policies “that deplete in a qualitative way the institutions’ human asset: its students, employees, and all others”.1 “All people have the right to work, to a chance to develop their qualities and their personalities in the exercise of their professions, to equitable remuneration which will enable them and their families \"to lead a worthy life on the material, 1 Beyer, G. J. (2021). Just Universities: Catholic Social Teaching Confronts Corporatized Higher Education. Fordham University Press. Page 1 of 2

social, cultural, and spiritual level\" and to assistance in case of need arising from sickness or age.”2 Kudos to the officers and members of the DE LA SALLE ARANETA FACULTY SOCIETY and DE LA SALLE ARANETA EMPLOYEES UNION. We pray that your action will inspire all of us to work and create an educational environment that will transform and truly ‘build the new world in the shell of the old.' CoTeSCUP supports the demand of both unions to reconsider the plan for retrenchment and commence Collective Bargaining negotiation immediately. Solidarity forever! The Council of Teachers and Staff of the Colleges and Universities of the Philippines (CoTeSCUP) is a coalition of labor unions, faculty associations and individuals who are working in private educational institutions in the Philippines. • Faculty Association of MAPUA Institute of Technology, • Silliman University Faculty Association, • Lyceum Faculty Association, • Far Eastern University Faculty Association, Inc., • Centro Escolar University Faculty and Allied Workers Union, • St. Paul University-Manila Faculty Union, • San Beda College Union, • San Beda College of Alabang Employees Association, • Union of Faculty and Employees of Saint Louis University, • University of San Carlos College Faculty Independent Union, • Faculty Association of DLSUD, Inc., • De La Salle University Employee Association Union, • De La Salle Zobel Staff Organization, • Mapua Institute of Technology Labor Union. • University of Santo Tomas Faculty Union and the • Federation of Free Workers and its affiliated Unions in the Education Sector 2 Blessed Paul VI, Octogesima Adveniens, no. 14. Page 2 of 2