The UP Manila All UP Academic Employees Union (AUPAEU), the recognized union for faculty members and Research, Extension, and Professional Staff (REPS) celebrated Academic Union Month this February with the theme, “Kasiguraduhan sa Trabaho at Dagdag na Benepisyo para sa Lahat ng Empleyado!”

A roundtable discussion on February 10, Ikot Unyon: “CNA Incentive, Makukuha Na Ba?” started the celebration. Dr. Ramon Guillermo, national president of AUPAEU, gave updates on the negotiations for a new Collective Negotiation Agreement (CNA) between UP and the academic union.

Following the CNA forum was an educational discussion on AUPAEU’s basic course on public sector unionism, “Militante, Progresibo at Makabayang Unyonismo” led by AUPAEU-Diliman President, Ms. Perlita Rana. These activities were held at the CAS Alumni Conference Room.

Two public fora on the proposed Health Insurance and the issue of contractualization were held on February 18 and 24, respectively. “Health Insurance: Who Benefits?”, a public forum on the proposed Health Insurance for PGH and UP System, in partnership with All UP Workers Union-Manila, was held at the UPM Social Hall.

Meanwhile, “ENDO: Kontraktwalisasyon sa UP at Pampublikong Sektor,” a public forum on the various contractualization schemes in the university and other public institutions, and its impact on employees, was held at the CAS Little Theater. This is in partnership with the All UP Workers Union Manila, the College of Arts and Sciences Department of Social Sciences, Crispin B. Beltran Resource Center, Alliance of Concerned Teachers-State Universities and Colleges (ACT-SUC) and the Alliance of Health Workers.

To promote health and wellness among employees, a free Zumba session, was held on February 12 at the UPM Social Hall. Dubbed as “Rise for Job Security and Benefits!”, it was also part of the global event One Billion Rising, a campaign on violence against women and other forms of injustices.

To cap the month-long celebration, “Padayon: Pagdiriwang, Pasasalamat at Pagsulong”, a thanksgiving gathering for faculty members and REPS was held at the Press Room of the CPH Annex Building on February 24.  AUPAEU shirts were given to the first 100 participants.  

(With a report from The Academic Union, AUPAEU-Manila’s official newsletter.)