Over new policy: Velez College ends row with teachers

CEBU, Philippines - Negotiations between the faculty and administration of Velez College yesterday resulted in the reinstatement of the teachers earlier dismissed by the school.

Jonel Perfecio, spokesperson of the Velez College Faculty and Non-Teaching Union, said they are extremely grateful that the second negotiation went well and that all the teachers will be able to return to work by next week.

Last Friday, the Velez administration took back their initial decision of implementing a 40-hour work week schedule for all their teachers that caused a major misunderstanding between the two parties.

The teachers refused to follow the administration’s new policy since it was a violation of their rights as they will only be paid for the number of units they are handling and not by the hours they are in the school.

Perfecio, who was among the dismissed teachers, earlier explained that with the mandate, they are required to be in the school for the whole day but will only be paid for the hours they have actual classes.

They were earlier told that if they refuse to sign the memorandum, they are free to leave the school.

With this, another 20 teachers showed their support by refusing to sign the mandate of the administration, which had them on a “hanging status” as they were not given class loads.

But Perfecio said that with the negotiation yesterday, the teachers should be given loads today or within the week and can start their classes by next week.

The issues on the creation of guidelines for the instructional committee on the production of textbooks as well as the payment of substitution rates will be finalized today although these were initially discussed yesterday.

As for the call to oust the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Engr. Jocelyn Gonzales, Perfecio said that the administration assured them that this will be granted and that they will be going over the names recommended by faculty to be the new dean.

Perfecio said they submitted three names.

However, the administration has the option to choose from the list or look for other potential candidates.

“We trust their decision as to who they will appoint as the new dean. For us, we are just grateful that they listened to our plea,” Perfecio said.

Perfecio said that despite the rift between the administration, they are very thankful that the school board understood their sentiments.

He added that along with the reinstatement of the teachers, they hope to restore the good relationship between the VCFANTU and the administration prior the misunderstanding.

The administration granted the union’s demand and assured a good working relationship and this will be strengthened through the signing of a memorandum of agreement between the two parties today.

Perfecio said the agreement is not just for the teachers but for the students as well, to assure them of a “secured and continuous quality education.”

John Marc Abarquez, 2nd year BS Medical Technology student and one of those who actively fought for the teachers, said he was very happy of the news that their teachers have been reinstated.

“It has been a great relief to know that the administration saw what was right and just for our teachers. Our teachers did not fall short in providing us with good education and training and we’re glad this would continue,” he said

But the rift has forced some students of the school to transfer to another university.

Abarquez said as far as he knows, a number of students from the Occupational Therapy Department have transferred to another school when the issue started last week.

But he said that this does not question the reliability and quality of their school and their teachers.

At 5 p.m. today, a thanksgiving mass will be held to be followed by a press conference.

“This is a solidarity night for the teachers, the students and those who have supported our cause. Aside from the administration’s recent opening of their hearts, we thank the students who have been there for us. We hope that they know that we fought because of them, to give them a good education and to continue what the school has always been credible about and that is on providing good education and training,”  Abarquez said. — /MBG (FREEMAN)