All UP Workers Union Manila's Contingents to the Rally on 2004 State of the Nation Address of the President of the Republic (Shown here in a Health Alliance for Democracy (HEAD) banner)
Monday, July 12, 2004
AUPWU Manila Joins the 2004 SONA Rally
All UP Workers Union Manila's Contingents to the Rally on 2004 State of the Nation Address of the President of the Republic (Shown here in a Health Alliance for Democracy (HEAD) banner)
Friday, July 09, 2004
A Hectic Week Full of Surprises
It was such a very hectic week for the union.
On Monday, July 5, our Chapter President attended the 28th General Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Bishops-Businessmen's Conference as the Union representative. Our union was extended with an invitation by the said group.
Wednesday afternoon, our Chapter President again, attended the All Government Employees' Unity Conference at the Pacemaker Conference Room of the Philippine Heart Center. He also attended the said conference as the Secretary General of the Alliance of Health Workers. The conference was about the campaign for P3,000.00 across-the-board monthly salary increase for all government employees which will be backstopped by the Confederation for Unity, Reform and Advancement of Government Employees (COURAGE), the Alliance of Health Workers (AHW) and the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT). Highlights of the Conference were the adoption of a Unity Statement and the General Program of Action.
On Thursday noon, our Chapter President was requested by the Chair of the PGH Uniform Committee to attend her on-going meeting with the Administrative Officers of PGH at the Director's Conference Room. This is to clarify our letter dated June 28, 2004 on our querries related to the uniform of the administrative support personnel. It was established that indeed the PGH Uniform Committee has yet to finalize their final recommendation for the 2005 uniform of all sectors in the hospital. And that the Memorandum of Mrs. Teresita Venturina who claimed to be the Chair of the Administrative Group Uniform Committee, which was the basis of the Administrative Officers and other Heads of Administrative Offices solicitation of orders from their subordinates for the La Marina as their chosen seamstress or cloth supplier was only intended as a survey. However, our Chapter President clarified that in the absence of a final recommendation on the cut, color and cloth for the 2005 uniform by the PGH Uniform Committee, much more the endorsement by the PGH Director and the approval and corresponding issuance of an Administrative Order or Memorandum from the UP Manila Chancellor, such move by Mrs. Venturina and heads of Administrative Offices maybe considered illegal. He further advice the group to go back to the specific powers delegated to the PGH Uniform Committee when it was formed by the PGH Director.
On Friday, July 9, 2004 at 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM, the 5th meeting of the University Management-Health Workers Consultative Council (UMHWCC) was held at the UP Manila Board Room. The UMHWCC was created by the Chancellor in July of last year upon the request and submission of a position paper by the Union. The AUPWU Manila Chapter President and Vice President was the Chair and Vice Chair of the Health Workers Panel, respectively.
The following were some of the adopted measures:
First, the Memorandum drafted for the Chancellor by the UMHWCC since December 2003 regarding the clarification of "pending case" and the creation of Fact-Finding bodies at the Unit Level will be submitted immediately to the Chancellor for issuance as soon as possible. It was held in abeyance during the 4th UMHWCC Meeting on April 2004 in deference to a systemwide consultation workshop of all University Legal Counsels and upon the motion of Atty. Zaldy Docena, UP Manila's Chief Legal Officer. Considering however, that the content of the draft memo does not contradict with any of the provisions of the proposed Uniform Rules on Administrative Procedures of UP, the UMHWCC resolved to have the draft memorandum, issued as soon as possible
Second, the study by the Technical Working Group on the CNA provision for 50% discount on PGH Confinement Fees by U.P. retirees, will be revised. It will be commented by the PGH Administration, the Chair of the Health Workers Panel, the Chair of the Management Panel and the UP Manila Chancellor. When everything were already agreed upon, it will be forwarded to the UP System Administration through Vice President Martin Gregorio for their final consideration, possibly, the implemention of the said CNA provision.
Third, the Technical Working Work was tasked to study the proposal to have a uniform rate of hospitalization discounts for all PGH and UP Manila employees. Format will be the same as the study on 50% discount in PGH of UP retirees. Draft Report will be expected to come out before the next UMHWCC Meeting
Fourth, the immediate implementation for UP Manila's Academic Units, of the 2% Salary Increase for employees with graduate degrees. The Internal Guidelines in PGH will likewise be reviewed and revised accordingly, to have a uniform guidelines for all UP Manila units (including the hospital).
Fifth, the assurance by the Management Panel to look for means by which the UP Manila Administration would help the affected casual employees who were downgraded from monthly wage earner to daily wage earner based on a September 2003 Memorandum Circular from the DBM without prior notice. Considering that even the UP System has not implemented this DBM Circular, such action of a midnight implementation of daily wage for UP Manila's casuals, constitutes a traitorious stab to the very core of the Chancellor's vision for a "Socially Responsive University." Further, the reaction of Vice Chancellor Simbulan (who is the chair of the Management Panel suggests a case of "the right hand does not know what the left hand has been doing." WE in the Union will get into the bottom of this incident as soon as the Chancellor reports back to work on July 16, 2004.
Sixth, the PGH Administration as represented by Deputy Diretor Mario Festin, will look into the request of OR Complex Utility Workers to have a share also of the private duty scheme in the Pay OR.
Seventh, U.P.'s College of Dentistry proposed to implement a dental care program for all administrative employees in coordination with the Department of Hospital Dentistry.
On Monday, July 5, our Chapter President attended the 28th General Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Bishops-Businessmen's Conference as the Union representative. Our union was extended with an invitation by the said group.
Wednesday afternoon, our Chapter President again, attended the All Government Employees' Unity Conference at the Pacemaker Conference Room of the Philippine Heart Center. He also attended the said conference as the Secretary General of the Alliance of Health Workers. The conference was about the campaign for P3,000.00 across-the-board monthly salary increase for all government employees which will be backstopped by the Confederation for Unity, Reform and Advancement of Government Employees (COURAGE), the Alliance of Health Workers (AHW) and the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT). Highlights of the Conference were the adoption of a Unity Statement and the General Program of Action.
On Thursday noon, our Chapter President was requested by the Chair of the PGH Uniform Committee to attend her on-going meeting with the Administrative Officers of PGH at the Director's Conference Room. This is to clarify our letter dated June 28, 2004 on our querries related to the uniform of the administrative support personnel. It was established that indeed the PGH Uniform Committee has yet to finalize their final recommendation for the 2005 uniform of all sectors in the hospital. And that the Memorandum of Mrs. Teresita Venturina who claimed to be the Chair of the Administrative Group Uniform Committee, which was the basis of the Administrative Officers and other Heads of Administrative Offices solicitation of orders from their subordinates for the La Marina as their chosen seamstress or cloth supplier was only intended as a survey. However, our Chapter President clarified that in the absence of a final recommendation on the cut, color and cloth for the 2005 uniform by the PGH Uniform Committee, much more the endorsement by the PGH Director and the approval and corresponding issuance of an Administrative Order or Memorandum from the UP Manila Chancellor, such move by Mrs. Venturina and heads of Administrative Offices maybe considered illegal. He further advice the group to go back to the specific powers delegated to the PGH Uniform Committee when it was formed by the PGH Director.
On Friday, July 9, 2004 at 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM, the 5th meeting of the University Management-Health Workers Consultative Council (UMHWCC) was held at the UP Manila Board Room. The UMHWCC was created by the Chancellor in July of last year upon the request and submission of a position paper by the Union. The AUPWU Manila Chapter President and Vice President was the Chair and Vice Chair of the Health Workers Panel, respectively.
The following were some of the adopted measures:
First, the Memorandum drafted for the Chancellor by the UMHWCC since December 2003 regarding the clarification of "pending case" and the creation of Fact-Finding bodies at the Unit Level will be submitted immediately to the Chancellor for issuance as soon as possible. It was held in abeyance during the 4th UMHWCC Meeting on April 2004 in deference to a systemwide consultation workshop of all University Legal Counsels and upon the motion of Atty. Zaldy Docena, UP Manila's Chief Legal Officer. Considering however, that the content of the draft memo does not contradict with any of the provisions of the proposed Uniform Rules on Administrative Procedures of UP, the UMHWCC resolved to have the draft memorandum, issued as soon as possible
Second, the study by the Technical Working Group on the CNA provision for 50% discount on PGH Confinement Fees by U.P. retirees, will be revised. It will be commented by the PGH Administration, the Chair of the Health Workers Panel, the Chair of the Management Panel and the UP Manila Chancellor. When everything were already agreed upon, it will be forwarded to the UP System Administration through Vice President Martin Gregorio for their final consideration, possibly, the implemention of the said CNA provision.
Third, the Technical Working Work was tasked to study the proposal to have a uniform rate of hospitalization discounts for all PGH and UP Manila employees. Format will be the same as the study on 50% discount in PGH of UP retirees. Draft Report will be expected to come out before the next UMHWCC Meeting
Fourth, the immediate implementation for UP Manila's Academic Units, of the 2% Salary Increase for employees with graduate degrees. The Internal Guidelines in PGH will likewise be reviewed and revised accordingly, to have a uniform guidelines for all UP Manila units (including the hospital).
Fifth, the assurance by the Management Panel to look for means by which the UP Manila Administration would help the affected casual employees who were downgraded from monthly wage earner to daily wage earner based on a September 2003 Memorandum Circular from the DBM without prior notice. Considering that even the UP System has not implemented this DBM Circular, such action of a midnight implementation of daily wage for UP Manila's casuals, constitutes a traitorious stab to the very core of the Chancellor's vision for a "Socially Responsive University." Further, the reaction of Vice Chancellor Simbulan (who is the chair of the Management Panel suggests a case of "the right hand does not know what the left hand has been doing." WE in the Union will get into the bottom of this incident as soon as the Chancellor reports back to work on July 16, 2004.
Sixth, the PGH Administration as represented by Deputy Diretor Mario Festin, will look into the request of OR Complex Utility Workers to have a share also of the private duty scheme in the Pay OR.
Seventh, U.P.'s College of Dentistry proposed to implement a dental care program for all administrative employees in coordination with the Department of Hospital Dentistry.
Thursday, July 08, 2004
1st Chapter Trainors' Training Held
Participant's to the "1st Trainors' Training for Basic and Advance Public Sector Unionism
("Militante, Progresibo at Makabayang Unyonismo" and "Ang Unyon at Ang Lipunan")
Held on July 8 - 10, 2005 at the Executive House of the Department of National Defense
Navy Base, Baguio City
Monday, July 05, 2004
Fight Against Graft and Corruption Miserably Lost to the President of the Republic
President Gloria Macapapagal Arroyo appears to be oblivious of the problem that is graft and corruption. It is for this reason perhaps that all big fishes who have been accused of committing graft and corruption in her government especially those who appear to be close to her, almost always go scot free.
In her speech today during the 28th General Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Bishops-Businessmen's Conference, she highlighted it with a concrete example on how the bishops and businessmen would be able to help the government in its fight against graft and corruption. She narrated a situation that in a small island barangay where there is no effective pressence of the church such as a regular catechesis class for youngsters, people would eventually grow to become "ammoral" as she termed it; and stealing becomes a way of life. According to her, these people from the barrios who would eventually migrate to the urban areas to work as househelp, employees in private corporations and in the government becomes the "usual suspect" in graft and corruption. She then hurled a challenge that in order to prevent a systemic culture of graft and corruption in the government, the Bishops and businessmen should pitch-in by providing programs of Values Formation to all barangays in the country.
Nothing in her speech did she says that she was committed to fight graft and corruption in the government by starting on the big fishes especially those who were, in one way or another have connections in her Administration.
How ironic that while the Bishops and businessmen who were present in the meeting were very much serious about the problem of graft and corruption in government that were committed in mass scale by big self-serving interest groups in almost every Administration of our blighted Republic, here comes the newly elected President of the Republic, declares that the cause of it all were the small, less educated people from the barrios.
No wonder that this President has declared before that one of the terrorists in our midst are the union leaders and their followers - almost all ordinary people from the barrios.
In her speech today during the 28th General Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Bishops-Businessmen's Conference, she highlighted it with a concrete example on how the bishops and businessmen would be able to help the government in its fight against graft and corruption. She narrated a situation that in a small island barangay where there is no effective pressence of the church such as a regular catechesis class for youngsters, people would eventually grow to become "ammoral" as she termed it; and stealing becomes a way of life. According to her, these people from the barrios who would eventually migrate to the urban areas to work as househelp, employees in private corporations and in the government becomes the "usual suspect" in graft and corruption. She then hurled a challenge that in order to prevent a systemic culture of graft and corruption in the government, the Bishops and businessmen should pitch-in by providing programs of Values Formation to all barangays in the country.
Nothing in her speech did she says that she was committed to fight graft and corruption in the government by starting on the big fishes especially those who were, in one way or another have connections in her Administration.
How ironic that while the Bishops and businessmen who were present in the meeting were very much serious about the problem of graft and corruption in government that were committed in mass scale by big self-serving interest groups in almost every Administration of our blighted Republic, here comes the newly elected President of the Republic, declares that the cause of it all were the small, less educated people from the barrios.
No wonder that this President has declared before that one of the terrorists in our midst are the union leaders and their followers - almost all ordinary people from the barrios.
Thursday, July 01, 2004
A Roller Coaster Week
On Monday, June 28, PGH awakened with a mass circulated paper from a group who introduced themselves as "Mga Tunay na PGH Concerned Employees." The statement were placed under the doorways of administrative offices probably on Sunday night. The statement condemned the alleged coercive solicitation of orders by their supervisors and office heads in favor to a particular corporate seamstress for the PGH 2005 uniform of administrative employees. The statement tickled the All UP Workers Union Manila on why the union allows those things to happen and lambaste the PGH Administration for allegedly "natutulog sa kangkungan o kaya'y nagbubulag-bulagan."
To set the record straight, during the dialogue of the union with Director Alfiler on June 11, 2004, we have already vioced our concern on the Memorandum dated June 8, 2004 coming from Mrs. Teresita Venturina who claimed to be the Head, Administrative Unit, PGH 2004 Uniform Committee. The memo which were likely circulated on all administrative units alleged that: "the PGH Uniform Committee has already approved a new sets of uniform for administrative employees of PGH" and so therefore it now "request you to accomplish the attached order forms (prices included) and submit them to Mrs. Venturina on or before June 25, 2004." The memo also mentioned: "La Marina gave the best offers/terms has been chosen as provider of the uniforms..." Our concern was that the PGH and U.P. Manila Uniform Committees' has already agreed that individual administrative employees of PGH or UP Manila shall be given the freedom of choosing his/her own seamstress for the 2004 uniform. The only matters that will be decided and recommended for approval by the PGH Director or the UP Manila Chancellor will be the cut, cloth and color of uniform. In which Director Alfiler promised to look into the matter.
To further bolster our concern, the Union Chapter President made a letter/query also this Monday, June 28, to the Chair of the PGH 2004 Uniform Committee to express our concern that any solicitation for orders to a particular seamtress at this time may constitute an illegal act considering that both the PGH and UP Manila Uniform Committees have yet made a final recommendation for the cut, cloth and color for the 2005 uniform of administrative employees. Also, a Memorandum is yet to be issued coming from the UP Manila Chancellor or the PGH Director specifying the approved cut, color and cloth for the 2005 uniform. Our letter further request the Chair, "to enjoin Mrs. Venturina and those concerned supervisors and office heads to cease and desist from their misrepresentation and coercive activities." Copies of the letter were furnished to the UP Manila Chancellor, the Vice Chancellor for Administration and the PGH Director.
On Wednesday, June 30, we were met with a power failure in the Ermita area (including PGH/UP Manila) starting from about 8:00 AM to around 12:00 noon. The cause was a fallen MERALCO post along Kalaw St. in Luneta where the 14th President of the Rebublic, Her Excellency Gloria Macapagal Arroyo delivers her inagural address at the nearby Quirino Grandstand at around 8:00 in the morning. PGH has its own generator, but power was limited only on Special Areas, the Intensive Care Units and lights at hallways.
Around 10:40 the entire PGH and UP Manila community went agog on the report that one of our Utility Worker in the name of Christopher Florin slipped from the 8th Floor of the PGH Central Block Building and fell at the 4th Floor right front canopy just besides the DPPS Chief Nurse's Office. The Chief Nurse Mrs. Eden Bayrante and her daughter Fritzie (who's also a student of UP Manila) noticed it, and went outside of the office screaming for help at the nearby Nurses Station of the RCB1 4th Floor. Two Nurses, a Nursing Attendant, a Utility Worker and a Security Guard, immediately went into action and brought the body of the dying colleague in the Emergency Room. Personnel at the ER tried everything they could to revive Chris (as we fondly called Mr. Florin) but succumbed to massive internal bleeding and multiple fractures including his skull.
The Router's Log Book of the Division of Nursing Education and Training (DNET) that earlier was given to Chris was later discovered besides the doorway leading to the Rooftop Garden at the 8th Floor. Shoes skids marks were also discovered at the rooftiles leading to the roof edge where Chhris probably slipped.
We are conveying our deepest sympathy to his wife Adora (who was also a clerk at the PGH Medical Record's Division) and to their four kids.
The union will visit Chris' wake this Friday, July 2. The Union's contribution includes P2,000.00 as Death Assistance Benefit, while the Manila Chapter will add P3,000.00 as Special Assistance.
Tommorow, Friday, July 2, the National Executive Board will have its 21st Meeting at 9:00 AM, while at around 1:30 PM, Manila Chapter will have its 4th Meeting of Unit Representatives. Primary agenda of said meetings will still be on our demand for quarterly rice subsidy. Add to this will we the demand by all government workers for the P3,000.00 acros the board monthly salary increase. The demand for salary increase will be coordinated nationwide by COURAGE, AHW and ACT.
To set the record straight, during the dialogue of the union with Director Alfiler on June 11, 2004, we have already vioced our concern on the Memorandum dated June 8, 2004 coming from Mrs. Teresita Venturina who claimed to be the Head, Administrative Unit, PGH 2004 Uniform Committee. The memo which were likely circulated on all administrative units alleged that: "the PGH Uniform Committee has already approved a new sets of uniform for administrative employees of PGH" and so therefore it now "request you to accomplish the attached order forms (prices included) and submit them to Mrs. Venturina on or before June 25, 2004." The memo also mentioned: "La Marina gave the best offers/terms has been chosen as provider of the uniforms..." Our concern was that the PGH and U.P. Manila Uniform Committees' has already agreed that individual administrative employees of PGH or UP Manila shall be given the freedom of choosing his/her own seamstress for the 2004 uniform. The only matters that will be decided and recommended for approval by the PGH Director or the UP Manila Chancellor will be the cut, cloth and color of uniform. In which Director Alfiler promised to look into the matter.
To further bolster our concern, the Union Chapter President made a letter/query also this Monday, June 28, to the Chair of the PGH 2004 Uniform Committee to express our concern that any solicitation for orders to a particular seamtress at this time may constitute an illegal act considering that both the PGH and UP Manila Uniform Committees have yet made a final recommendation for the cut, cloth and color for the 2005 uniform of administrative employees. Also, a Memorandum is yet to be issued coming from the UP Manila Chancellor or the PGH Director specifying the approved cut, color and cloth for the 2005 uniform. Our letter further request the Chair, "to enjoin Mrs. Venturina and those concerned supervisors and office heads to cease and desist from their misrepresentation and coercive activities." Copies of the letter were furnished to the UP Manila Chancellor, the Vice Chancellor for Administration and the PGH Director.
On Wednesday, June 30, we were met with a power failure in the Ermita area (including PGH/UP Manila) starting from about 8:00 AM to around 12:00 noon. The cause was a fallen MERALCO post along Kalaw St. in Luneta where the 14th President of the Rebublic, Her Excellency Gloria Macapagal Arroyo delivers her inagural address at the nearby Quirino Grandstand at around 8:00 in the morning. PGH has its own generator, but power was limited only on Special Areas, the Intensive Care Units and lights at hallways.
Around 10:40 the entire PGH and UP Manila community went agog on the report that one of our Utility Worker in the name of Christopher Florin slipped from the 8th Floor of the PGH Central Block Building and fell at the 4th Floor right front canopy just besides the DPPS Chief Nurse's Office. The Chief Nurse Mrs. Eden Bayrante and her daughter Fritzie (who's also a student of UP Manila) noticed it, and went outside of the office screaming for help at the nearby Nurses Station of the RCB1 4th Floor. Two Nurses, a Nursing Attendant, a Utility Worker and a Security Guard, immediately went into action and brought the body of the dying colleague in the Emergency Room. Personnel at the ER tried everything they could to revive Chris (as we fondly called Mr. Florin) but succumbed to massive internal bleeding and multiple fractures including his skull.
The Router's Log Book of the Division of Nursing Education and Training (DNET) that earlier was given to Chris was later discovered besides the doorway leading to the Rooftop Garden at the 8th Floor. Shoes skids marks were also discovered at the rooftiles leading to the roof edge where Chhris probably slipped.
We are conveying our deepest sympathy to his wife Adora (who was also a clerk at the PGH Medical Record's Division) and to their four kids.
The union will visit Chris' wake this Friday, July 2. The Union's contribution includes P2,000.00 as Death Assistance Benefit, while the Manila Chapter will add P3,000.00 as Special Assistance.
Tommorow, Friday, July 2, the National Executive Board will have its 21st Meeting at 9:00 AM, while at around 1:30 PM, Manila Chapter will have its 4th Meeting of Unit Representatives. Primary agenda of said meetings will still be on our demand for quarterly rice subsidy. Add to this will we the demand by all government workers for the P3,000.00 acros the board monthly salary increase. The demand for salary increase will be coordinated nationwide by COURAGE, AHW and ACT.
Tuesday, June 29, 2004
AUPWU Manila Held Dialogues With UP Manila Chancellor and PGH Director: Rice Subsidy for PGH/UP Manila Employees Almost in the Bag
The last negotiation with UP, particularly in the UMCB on May 24, 2004 in UP Manila, ended in a deadlock . As a result everyone's asking us: "When will be the next delivery of our rice subsidy? We in the All UP Workers Union in Manila, initiated dialogues with the UP Manila Chancellor, Dr. Marita V.T. Reyes and PGH Director, Dr. Carmelo A. Alfiler on June 11, 2004 and June 18, 2004, respectively.
The dialogue with the Chancellor was called by the Chancellor herself to report the good news that the first three months (January-March 2004) of Hazard Pay for UP Manila Academic Units will be given by next week. This was made possible because the Internal Operating Budget (IOB) of UP Manila has been approved by the UP BOR in which the UP Manila Administration has inserted an amount of seven million pesos (P7,000,000.00) in the Revolving Fund as Hazard Pay benefit. Meanwhile, the monthly Hazard Pay for the rest of the year maybe given only near the end of the year in view of the previous years's (2003) BOR ruling on the use of savings.
It must be recalled that the BOR has ruled last year that any amount for Hazard Pay of UP Manila Academic Units (which shall be taken from savings) could only be given near the end of the year (last quarter of each year). According to the BOR, it was only during that time that actual savings maybe realized. The Hazard Pay of PGH staff has been included in the General Appropriations Act since 1996.
After the good news from the Chancellor, the Chapter officials took this opportunity to request the Chancellor if she could categorically declare and take stand during the next PAC Meeting in July that PGH and UP Manila could give the rice subsidy over and above the P5,000.00 alloted for the Year-end Incentive Bonus. In reply, Chancellor Marita not only answered on the affirmative but stated as well that she and the PGH Director has already declared this since the May 2004 PAC Meeting. That UP Manila and PGH can afford to give at least two sacks of rice per employee for 2004. If needed, it maybe given starting this June. The amount will be taken from the accumulated savings for the past six months. She further related to us that it was VP Echanis and Chancellor Roman of (UP Diliman) who opposes the giving of the rice subsidy this year because of the perceived difficulty in the DBM releases and the slack in enrollment for the coming School Year.
Meanwhile, our dialogue with the PGH Director only affirmed what the Chancellor had already told to us. Director Alfiler further added that the PGH Administration is also planning of putting up a pre-hospital benefit for immediate family members of PGH employees at very minimal cost, probably a regular regular medical check-up. In which one of the Director's Assistant, Dr. Michael Tee reminded the Union of our previous agreement, for the Union to help in the formulation of guidelines.
In the light of this development in UP Manila, and considering that the administrative employees of UP Manila (with PGH) comprises about half of the entire administrative personnel complement of the entire UP System, we in UP Manila do feel that it is now in the hands of UP Administration to decide whether to give or not to give our demand for a quarterly rice subsidy this year. Meanwhile, the alleged lack of savings from UP Visayas and UP Mindanao, could very well be covered by the savings from the UP Central Administration
The dialogue with the Chancellor was called by the Chancellor herself to report the good news that the first three months (January-March 2004) of Hazard Pay for UP Manila Academic Units will be given by next week. This was made possible because the Internal Operating Budget (IOB) of UP Manila has been approved by the UP BOR in which the UP Manila Administration has inserted an amount of seven million pesos (P7,000,000.00) in the Revolving Fund as Hazard Pay benefit. Meanwhile, the monthly Hazard Pay for the rest of the year maybe given only near the end of the year in view of the previous years's (2003) BOR ruling on the use of savings.
It must be recalled that the BOR has ruled last year that any amount for Hazard Pay of UP Manila Academic Units (which shall be taken from savings) could only be given near the end of the year (last quarter of each year). According to the BOR, it was only during that time that actual savings maybe realized. The Hazard Pay of PGH staff has been included in the General Appropriations Act since 1996.
After the good news from the Chancellor, the Chapter officials took this opportunity to request the Chancellor if she could categorically declare and take stand during the next PAC Meeting in July that PGH and UP Manila could give the rice subsidy over and above the P5,000.00 alloted for the Year-end Incentive Bonus. In reply, Chancellor Marita not only answered on the affirmative but stated as well that she and the PGH Director has already declared this since the May 2004 PAC Meeting. That UP Manila and PGH can afford to give at least two sacks of rice per employee for 2004. If needed, it maybe given starting this June. The amount will be taken from the accumulated savings for the past six months. She further related to us that it was VP Echanis and Chancellor Roman of (UP Diliman) who opposes the giving of the rice subsidy this year because of the perceived difficulty in the DBM releases and the slack in enrollment for the coming School Year.
Meanwhile, our dialogue with the PGH Director only affirmed what the Chancellor had already told to us. Director Alfiler further added that the PGH Administration is also planning of putting up a pre-hospital benefit for immediate family members of PGH employees at very minimal cost, probably a regular regular medical check-up. In which one of the Director's Assistant, Dr. Michael Tee reminded the Union of our previous agreement, for the Union to help in the formulation of guidelines.
In the light of this development in UP Manila, and considering that the administrative employees of UP Manila (with PGH) comprises about half of the entire administrative personnel complement of the entire UP System, we in UP Manila do feel that it is now in the hands of UP Administration to decide whether to give or not to give our demand for a quarterly rice subsidy this year. Meanwhile, the alleged lack of savings from UP Visayas and UP Mindanao, could very well be covered by the savings from the UP Central Administration
Tuesday, June 01, 2004
UPDEYT SA CNA: U.P. Panel At All U.P. Workers Union Di Nagkasundo Sa Pinakahuling Pulong Ng UMCB
U.P. Administration payag magbigay ng bigas kung papayag ang unyon kunin ito sa P5,000 cash incentive. All U.P. Workers Union di pumayag na kunin ito sa P5,000 cash incentive na ibinibigay bawat taon!
Sa meeting ng Union Management Consultative Body (UMCB) na naganap noong Mayo 24, 2004 sa U.P. Manila, ipinahayag ni Vice-President for Administration Martin V. Gregorio na pumayag ang U.P. na magbigay ng bigas na maaaring magsimula ng Hunyo kung papayag ang unyon na kunin sa P 5,000 cash incentive na ating natatanggap tuwing Disyembre. Bagama’t sinabi din sa pulong ni VP Gregorio na kung magkakaroon pa ng karagdagang savings ay muli nila itong bubuuin, ngunit iginiit ng unyon na hindi dapat ito kunin sa P 5,000.00, batay sa mga sumusunod na kadahilanan:
- Sa kasalukuyan, ang mga non-academic rank-and-file employees ay mayroong isang collective negotiation agreement (CNA) sa U.P. Administration na naglalaman ng mga pang-ekonomiyang benepisyong katulad ng RICE SUBSIDY. Kung gayon, ang usapin ng rice subsidy ay usapin ng tagumpay ng non-academic rank-and-file para sa dagdag na benepisyo na hiwalay pa sa dating natatanggap na ng mga empleyado.
- Ang kasalukuyang bilang ng mga non-academic rank-and-file personnel na kabilang sa CNA ay maaaring aabot lamang ng 9,000, kayat ang halagang kinakailangan ay P 9 million bawat quarter o P 36 million kada taon (katumbas ng apat na sakong bigas) at kung may mga constituent unit na may problema sa badyet, sa aming paniniwala, ay kaya ng System Administration na tulungan sila.
- Ang mga non-academic rank-and-file employees ang halos may pinakamababang sweldo sa Unibersidad at wala o halos walang dagdag na mapagkukunan na pandagdag sa ating sweldo. Ating uulitin, 2001 pa ang huling pagtaas sa ating sweldo at kinakaharap natin ang walang hintong pagtaas sa mga presyo ng bilihin, ng pasahe at ng araw-araw na pangangailangan. Ang isang sakong bigas bawat ikatlong buwan ay malaking tulong para sa atin.
Sa mga panimulang pakikipagtalastan ng mga opisyal ng Unyon sa mga kawani, malinaw ang mariing pagtutol ng mga kawani sa ganitong sagot ng administrasyong Nemenzo. Sabi nga ng ilan, “gigisahin tayo sa sariling mantika”. “Iba ang bigas sa ating CNA sa ating year-end incentive”.
Sa kabuuan ay naniniwala tayong kayang ibigay ng kasalukuyang administrasyon ang ating kahilingan kung nanaisin lamang nito at mabibigyan ng mas malaking prayoridad ang mga benepisyong katulad nito.
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