THE DIGITEL Employees’ Union (DEU) asked for a partnership with political party Christian Union for Socialist and Democratic Advancement (Crusada) in a meeting held last August 7 in the Institute of Social Order building cafeteria.

The union requested Crusada’s assistance in further educating the Ateneo community with regard to labor contractualization.

DEU has previously protested against the recent Digitel-PLDT merger. The said merger caused the illegal termination of a number of Digitel employees.

“This [partnership] is in line with the goal of Ateneo to form men and women for others, since the students would eventually enter the workforce as leaders,” said Crusada Chief Whip Guio Martinez.

“The issue on contractualization would serve to provide the students [an idea of] the realities [they need to face] once they step outside the Ateneo,” he added.

Awareness for Ateneans

One of the labor contractualization awareness projects planned by Crusada and DEU is room-to-room campaigns by members of the union.

This project is set for implementation from the first week of August until the first week of September.

Martinez believes Crusada’s partnership with DEU will mutually benefit both parties’ goals.

He added that the Ateneo administration is yet to be informed about the issue concerning DEU.

“We hope that the administration shall also supportively respond to this issue, as Crusada believes that this would be an avenue to further its (administration) principle on providing student formation that is fostered upon social justice,” Martinez said.

UPDATED: 4:06 PM, August 17, 2013