Unicamp's Higher Administration promoted a meeting this Thursday afternoon (21) with directors of institutes and colleges to clarify the directors of these teaching and research units about the negotiation process with the Unicamp Workers' Union (STU). On this occasion, rector Marcelo Knobel presented to those present what the workers' demands were and what the financial impacts would be for the University if they were fully met. According to calculations made by the Economics and Planning Advisory (Aeplan), the claims would increase the institution's expenses by R$315 million, a value higher than the institution's current budget deficit of R$239 million [See Table].
Marcelo Knobel explained to the directors that Unicamp's financial situation does not currently allow the University to meet the majority of STU's demands, under penalty of making other expenditures unfeasible in the near future, including the payment of salaries. “We are going through a very difficult situation and, as public managers, we have to be committed to preventing the situation from becoming even more critical,” he said.
The rector told the directors the same thing he has said to the entity representing technical-administrative employees. According to him, the proposed salary adjustment of 1,5% and the increase in the value of food allowance from R$850 to R$950 already represent an important financial effort on the part of the University. “We understand that these numbers do not meet workers’ expectations, but we really cannot go further”, he reinforced.
Marcelo Knobel also took advantage of the meeting to correct information that has been circulating around the University, stating that no hiring is taking place. Despite the difficulties imposed by the financial crisis, the director assured, the institution has been striving to meet staffing needs, particularly in cases of greater urgency. “In 2017, for example, we hired 134 civil servants and 76 teachers through a public competition. We also hired, on an emergency basis, another 54 employees and 18 teachers”, he listed.
Regarding the procedures related to the employee strike, which this Friday will complete one month, the rector informed that the managers of bodies linked to the Rectorate were instructed to note on the time card the absence of workers who joined the movement, with the consequent discount financial. “However, as faculties and institutes have autonomy in this aspect, each unit must decide what procedure it will adopt in related cases”, explained Marcelo Knobel.
Still on this subject, the general coordinator of the University, Teresa Atvars, explained that the measure is not a mere administrative procedure, but a legal requirement. “We cannot register the presence of anyone who is not working. After the strike, if this issue is negotiated, we will check in which areas the days not worked can be compensated, with payment for the respective days”.
Both the rector and the general coordinator assured the directors of teaching and research units that the Central Administration remains open to dialogue with the STU and willing to build an agreement that can put an end to the civil servants' strike. Two negotiation meetings are scheduled for next Monday, one with the STU itself and the other with the Unicamp Teachers' Association (Adunicamp), which has a specific agenda of demands. “The University’s accounts, as well as our position, are completely transparent. We want to dialogue, but within parameters that do not compromise the functioning of the institution”, pondered Marcelo Knobel.
