RESEARCH, EXTENSION, and PROFESSIONAL STAFF (REPS) MANUAL

UP Diliman Research, Extension, and Professional Staff

UPD Research, Extension, and Professional Staff

Research, Extension, and Professional Staff

UPD REPS Manual

UPD Proffesional Staff

UPD Extension Staff

UPD Research Staff

REPS

UPD REPS

UPD

CHAPTER V
RIGHT TO SELF-ORGANIZATION OF UPD REPS

5.0 Rationale

The right to self-organization is expressed by the REPS, the administrative staff, and the faculty members of the University through participation in various organizations. This right is enshrined in the 1987 Philippine Constitution, as stipulated in the following provisions:

Sec.8, art. III – “The right of the people, including those employed in the public and private sectors, to form unions, associations, or societies for purposes not contrary to law shall not be abridged”;

Sec. 2(5), art. IX-B – “The right to self-organization shall not be denied to government employees”;

Sec. 3, art. XIII – “The State shall afford full protection to labor, local and overseas, organized and unorganized, and promote full employment and equality of employment opportunities for all.

"It shall guarantee the rights of all workers to self-organization, collective bargaining and negotiations, and peaceful concerted activities, including the right to strike in accordance with law. They shall be entitled to security of tenure, humane conditions of work, and a living wage. They shall also participate in policy and decision-making processes affecting their rights and benefits as may be provided by law.”

In support of these provisions, President Corazon C. Aquino issued Executive Order no. 180 on 1 June 1987 to provide the guidelines for the exercise of the right to organize of government employees. Sec. 2, article I of the EO states that

All government employees can form, join or assist employees organizations of their own choosing for the furtherance and protection of their interests. They can also form, in conjunction with appropriate government authorities, labor-management committees, works councils and other forms of workers participation schemes to achieve the same objectives.

The same EO stipulates the protection of the right to organize, as declared in the following provisions:

Sec. 5, art. II - “Government employees shall not be discriminated against in respect of their employment by reason of their membership in employees organizations or participation in the normal activities of their organization. Their employment shall not be subject to the condition that they shall not join or shall relinquish their membership in the employees organizations”;

Sec. 6, art. II – “Government authorities shall not interfere in the establishment, functioning or administration of government employees organizations through acts designated to place such organizations under the control of government authority.”

The right to self-organization is reaffirmed in chapter 6 of EO no. 292, or the Administrative Code. Section 38 of EO no. 292 states,

All government employees, including those in government-owned and controlled corporations with original charters, can form, join or assist employees’ organizations of their own choosing for the furtherance and protection of their interests. They can also form, in conjunction with appropriate government authorities, labor-management committees, work councils and other forms of workers’ participation schemes to achieve the same objectives.

5.1 REPS Organizations in UP Diliman

There are several REPS organizations that have been formed and are currently active across the different campuses in the UP System that aim to promote welfare, network, fellowship and interests.

In UP Diliman, this recognition is given to organizations such as, but not limited to the following:

5.1.1 Asosasyon ng Aklatan at Sinupan ng Diliman, Inc.

The Asosasyon ng Aklatan at Sinupan ng Diliman, Inc. (AASDI) is a non-profit professional organization of librarians and library staff working together to advocate for the development, promotion, and improvement of library services and resources. AASDI was established in 2016, and remains active in the promotion of their goals, conducting workshops, trainings, and seminars/webinars. To connect with this organization, please visit their website at https://aasdinews.wordpress.com/.

5.1.2 Congress of Teachers/Educators for Nationalism and Democracy

The Congress of Teachers/Educators for Nationalism and Democracy (CONTEND) takes up the challenge of organizing and leading a militant and progressive education workers’ movement. CONTEND aims to promote a militant nationalist and progressive consciousness among teachers, to organize them on this basis, and to mobilize them in the Filipino people’s for a truly independent and democratic society.

5.1.3 Alliance of Contractual Employees in UP

The Alliance of Contractual Employees in UP (ACE UP) is composed partly of REPS who are employed under a contract or job order and perform administrative, research, extension, and professional services. It advances the rights of the contractual employees for benefits and security of tenure. The non-UP contractuals in the REPS sector, composed mostly of research assistants, are included in the elections for the members of the REPS Welfare Council and the REPS Personnel and Fellowship Committee. [1340th BOR meeting, 3 Dec. 2018]

5.1.4 University of the Philippines System Supervisors Association

The University of the Philippines Supervisors Association (UPSSA) is a system-wide association of non-teaching personnel performing supervisory functions. It was organized in February 1962. The association aims to organize and join together all-non teaching personnel of the University of the Philippines System who are performing supervisory functions, and through the spirit of cooperation, work for their mutual benefit and protection through the promotion of better understanding and harmonious working relationships between its members and the officials of the University. It assists in the efforts to train its members in the techniques of efficient public administration and management and inculcate among them the high ideals of public service. It works for the protection and improvement of the economic, social, and intellectual well-being of its members and for the provision of wholesome and humane working conditions.

5.1.5 Other Organizations

REPS may also actively participate in professional organizations regulated by bodies such as, but not limited to Professional Regulation Commission and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines. Membership to these organizations are guided by their respective constitutions and by-laws.

The University supports the organizations established by its personnel and does not discriminate based on the members’ status of appointment, gender, ability, race, and religion.

5.2 All UP Academic Employees Union

A union represents the rank-and-file employees in the collective negotiation agreement with the administration. The All UP Academic Employees Union is the current and active union chosen by the majority of the academic personnel to represent their welfare and interest in all UP campuses.

The AUPAEU is composed of UP REPS and faculty members. It is a legitimate public sector labor organization registered with Department of Labor and Employment and the Civil Service Commission. It was proclaimed by the CSC and recognized by the University as the sole and exclusive negotiating representative of the rank-and-file academic personnel of UP. The continuous efforts on proposing a reasonable and fair CNA has led to the enactment economic and non-economic benefits and privileges for REPS and faculty members who have employer-employee relations with the University.

Being a system-wide organization, the AUPAEU has chapters in all CUs and one regional unit (UP Tacloban). The Union members, as stated in the preamble of the Union’s constitution and by-laws, commit themselves to protect their rights and to advance their interests toward decent work, under conditions that enhance creativity, excellence, freedom, justice, dignity, security, and equity without discrimination for all academic employees in the University.

The AUPAEU is represented in committees at every level (unit, constituent university, UP System) within the University’s structure. It has representatives in the respective RPFCs and RWCs of all constituent universities including the UP System RWC. These representatives participate in the formulation of implementing rules and regulations and guidelines for each constituent university. [sec. 3, art. XIII, 2021-2026 Collective Negotiation Agreement]