Update on Conciliation Proceedings with the AEWU

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University Bulletin

Update on Conciliation Proceedings with the AEWU

24 November 2025

Ateneo de Manila University and the Ateneo Employees and Workers Union (AEWU) maintained their respective positions during the conciliation meeting held on 24 November 2025. The National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) has scheduled the next conciliation meeting for 1 December 2025.

The AEWU also submitted the results of its strike vote. In accordance with Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) regulations, a 7-day cooling-off period must be observed before a strike may be held if conciliation efforts do not result in a settlement. Thus, the earliest possible date for a strike would be 2 December 2025.

The University reiterates its earlier position that the call for a strike is baseless and unwarranted, as supported by the following established facts:

• The disciplinary measures issued to certain employees stemmed from individual violations of University policies, including insubordination, willful disobedience, and unauthorized meetings during work hours. These actions were not connected to their status as union officers or members.
  • Due process was strictly observed throughout the investigation, hearings, and decision-making stages.
  • Both union officers and members were investigated, and disciplinary actions were applied equitably and proportionately, with several charges dropped against those who were found to not have committed the alleged infractions
• The matters under dispute relate to the Work/Zone Rotation Program—a capacity-building initiative developed in consultation with affected staff, including union officers and stakeholders, from April to September 2024, and implemented with transparency and due notice.
• The Notice of Strike was filed one day after two union officers submitted their appeals in relation to their sanctions, implying that the move appears tied to individual disciplinary cases rather than a legitimate collective grievance.

The University remains committed to respectful dialogue in good faith. However, it maintains that the grounds for a strike do not satisfy the standards of a legitimate labor dispute and appear to advance the interests of a few rather than the broader union membership.

Should a strike proceed, the University has taken the necessary steps to ensure the continued delivery of essential services and to prevent disruptions to operations on the Loyola Heights campus.

For further communication related to this matter, please be guided by the following assignment of announcements to respective constituents:

• VP for Higher Education (VPHE): College and graduate students, and HE faculty in the Loyola Heights campus
• School Deans: Students and employees of ALS, ASOG, AGSB, and ASMPH
• VP for Basic Education (VPBE): Basic Education Community
• BE School Heads: Students and employees of their respective schools
• VP for University Human Resources (VPUHR): Employees in CASU and HE units in the Loyola Heights campus

Ateneo de Manila remains steadfast in its commitment to truth, fairness, and the common good, as it continues its work of sustaining a just, humane, and well-functioning academic community.

Read in English

Pahayag ng Pamantasan

Pagpapatuloy ng Usapang Pagkakasundo sa Pagitan ng Ateneo at AEWU

24 Nobyembre 2025

Nanatiling matatag ang Ateneo de Manila University at ang Ateneo Employees and Workers Union (AEWU) sa kani-kanilang posisyon sa conciliation meeting na ginanap noong 24 Nobyembre 2025. Itinakda ng National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) ang susunod na pulong sa 1 Disyembre 2025.

Isinumite rin ng AEWU ang resulta ng kanilang strike vote. Alinsunod sa mga patakaran ng Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), kinakailangan ng 7-araw na cooling-off period bago maisagawa ang isang strike kapag hindi nauwi sa isang kasunduan ang magaganap na conciliation meeting/s. Kaya naman, ang pinakamaagang petsa kung kailan maaari nang magsagawa ng strike ay nakatakda sa 2 Disyembre 2025.

Muling pinagtitibay ng Pamantasan ang nauna nitong posisyon na ang panawagan para sa strike ay walang sapat na batayan at hindi nararapat, batay sa mga sumusunod na napatunayang katotohanan:

• Ang mga disciplinary measures na ipinataw sa ilang empleyado ay nagmula sa indibidwal na paglabag sa mga patakaran ng Unibersidad, kabilang na ang insubordination, willful disobedience, at pagsasagawa ng mga hindi awtorisadong pagpupulong sa oras ng trabaho. Ang mga ito ay walang kaugnayan sa pagiging opisyal o kasapi nila ng unyon.
  • Ang due process ay mahigpit na sinunod sa lahat ng yugto—mula imbestigasyon, pagdinig, hanggang sa paglalabas ng desisyon.
  • Kapwa opisyal at miyembro ng unyon ang naimbestigahan, at ang mga kaparusahan ay ipinatupad nang makatarungan at ayon sa bigat ng paglabag, at may ilang kaso rin na ibinasura matapos mapatunayang walang nagawang paglabag ang mga kinasuhan..
• Ang mga usaping pinagtatalunan ay may kaugnayan sa Work/Zone Rotation Program—isang capacity-building initiative na binuo sa pamamagitan ng konsultasyon kasama ang mga apektadong kawani, kabilang ang mga opisyal ng unyon at iba pang stakeholders, mula Abril hanggang Setyembre 2024, at ipinatupad nang may transparency at wastong abiso.
• Ang Notice of Strike ay inihain isang araw matapos magsumite ng apela ang dalawang opisyal ng unyon para sa ipinataw na disciplinary sanction sa kanila, nagpapahiwatig na ang hakbang ay tila nakaugnay sa kanilang indibidwal na kaso, at hindi bunga ng tunay na hinaing ng kasapian.

Patuloy na nakahanda ang Pamantasan na makipag-usap nang bukas at magalang at may matapat na hangarin. Gayunpaman, naninindigan itong ang mga batayan para sa strike ay hindi tumutugon sa pamantayan ng isang lehitimong labor dispute at tila nagsisilbi lamang para sa interes ng iilan kaysa sa mas nakararaming kasapi ng unyon.

Kung sakaling magtuloy ang strike, nakapaghanda na ang Pamantasan ng mga kinakailangang hakbang upang matiyak ang pagpapatuloy ng mahahalagang serbisyo at maiwasan ang anumang pagkaantala sa operasyon ng Loyola Heights campus.

Para sa karagdagang komunikasyon kaugnay ng usaping ito, mangyaring sundin ang anunsyo ng mga nakatalagang opisyal na magpapalabas ng anunsyo sa kani-kanilang sektor:

• VP for Higher Education (VPHE): Mga estudyante ng kolehiyo at graduate programs, at mga faculty ng HE sa Loyola Heights campus
• Mga Dekano: Mga estudyante at empleyado ng ALS, ASOG, AGSB, at ASMPH
• VP for Basic Education (VPBE): Komunidad ng Basic Education
• Mga Punong-Guro ng BE: Mga estudyante at empleyado ng kani-kanilang paaralan
• VP for University Human Resources (VPUHR): Mga empleyado ng CASU at HE units sa Loyola Heights campus

Nanatiling matatag ang Ateneo de Manila sa pangako nito sa katotohanan, katarungan, at kabutihang panlahat, habang patuloy na pinangangalagaan ang isang makatao, makatarungan, at maayos na pagpapatakbo ng ating komunidad akademiko.