“What are your thoughts on the recently concluded CBA negotiations and AEWU strike?”

“I am really happy that the union and the administration finally had a settlement that was beneficial to both sides. It was kind of hard for the students considering that the union members were responsible for multiple jobs that the students depended on. The campus was kind of dirty during the strike and we saw what would happen when they were not doing their jobs. I personally am just happy to have them doing their jobs again and that there is no more tension around the campus.”

Carlos Ocampo

1 BS CTM

“I’m quite glad that the whole episode ended the way it did, such that both sides were able to come to an agreement without further escalation of tension. Hopefully everything that happened will not be forgotten in future disputes, and that all that was learned and gained by both sides will be used as a springboard towards more fair, honest, and mutually beneficial cooperation between Ateneo’s workers and its administration.”

Bianca Soria

2 BS CTM

“Nakatutuwa na natapos na ang negosasyon at ang welga. [Una,] magkakaroon na ng sweldo ang aking mga magulang dahil sila ay miyembro ng unyon at dahil sa welga, ‘no work, no pay’ sila nang ilang araw. [Pangalawa,] marumi na at hindi napangalagaang mabuti ang mga silid-aralan pati na ang dormitoryo noong panahon ng welga. At ngayong tapos na ito, maaari nang magbalik nang muli ang malinis na mga silid.

Napakita ng negosasyon at lalo na ng welga na ang pinakaapektado sa nangyari ay ang mga estudyante at mga manggagawa. Sa tingin ko, nabulabog sa kahit anumang paraan ang karaniwang pang-araw-araw na buhay ng mga mag-aaral. At dahil nga wala ang ating mga ate [at] kuya, nakita natin ang halaga nila sa araw-araw.”

Riel Gutierrez

3 AB PSY

“It’s high time that the union and the administration have come to an agreement. Although it was necessary for the AEWU to hold strikes so as to pressure the administration, their protests and their absences have caused unease in the campus. Having overcome this situation, both the administration and the AEWU should work together to keep constant dialogue among themselves. This is so that the administration may better inform their workers as to how they allocate the school’s revenues and funds in considering their employees’ wages. This should be done so that such an occurrence may be avoided in the future.”

Danica Viovicente

3 AB MEC

“I’m glad the administration and the AEWU have come to an agreement. If the AEWU called for a notice of strike, then something must be up. Employees deserve better, and I would rather have food in people’s mouths and clothes on people’s backs than two new buildings that came out of nowhere. Those can wait. The people deserve better. I hope whatever they have agreed upon is in the best interest of the workers.”

Duvette Custodio

3 AB COM

“Being a dormer, we interact with maintenance workers everyday. These ates and kuyas are close to my heart and I’m thankful for their service. The Ateneo wouldn’t be the prestigious university that it is today without them. Right now I’m just really glad that the administration and the union were able to meet each other halfway because these people [have] mouths to feed, and it hurts me that they have to go on strike without pay just so the administration would hear them out. I think they deserve the raise that they’re asking for and I don’t think it’d hurt the administration or the Ateneo as a whole if they gave the union the raise. It’s just a small part of what the Ateneo is earning.”

Marc Christian Chua

1 BS LM

“While I’m glad that there [was] progress regarding the negotiations between the [administration] and the AEWU, I am disheartened by the lack of concern from the students regarding the issue.  I believe that the lack of sympathy from students also stems from our lack of understanding of the side of the Union. The Union wasn’t given the same opportunity to explain and voice out their concerns, as compared to the administration who held a forum to get students to rally at their side.”

Trisha Tiburcio

3 AB POS

“I am glad that the conflict between the [administration] and the AEWU members has ended. However, I think that the overlying problem still remains about how the discourse between the [administration] and the AEWU members seems to only affect the two parties involved rather than the whole workforce. It would’ve been better if the AEWU members argued for the wage increase of more employees rather than just pursuing the interests of their own members, because it would make a much more worthy cause to fight for.”

Kyle Nathan Nepomuceno

4 AB POS

“I am glad that the AEWU and the [administration] were able to reach an agreement that is acceptable to both sides. Although I wish the disagreement would have been solved earlier, I am hopeful that the month-long dispute may shine a light on unfair labor practices that also circulate in other industries.”

Ma. Mikaela Dayrit

3 AB POS-AB EC