Since part of Unicamp's technical-administrative employees decided to go on strike, on May 22nd, the University's Central Administration has adopted a stance based on transparency, respect and constructive and responsible dialogue with the category. In the last 45 days, at least eight negotiation meetings were held with the Unicamp Workers' Union (STU), in addition to several technical meetings to address the employees' specific agenda. Despite the serious financial difficulties faced by the institution, which projects a budget deficit of R$239 million for 2018, the Central Administration presented two important economic proposals to the STU, which rejected both and even decided to radicalize the movement, promoting the occupation of the facilities of the institution. Rectory.
Intransigent, the Union's position has not taken into account the serious moment the Brazilian economy is going through, which has significant consequences for Unicamp's revenues, whose budget is based on the collection of the Tax on Circulation of Goods and Services (ICMS). In all the negotiation meetings he participated in, rector Marcelo Knobel stated that, if Cruesp followed the recommendation of the universities' technical teams, they would not offer any salary adjustment.
Even so, in a political decision and in recognition of the salary gap for employees, accumulated over the last four years, the Council offered a salary increase of around 1,5%. Although it may seem small, the index has a significant impact on the three public universities in São Paulo. In the case of Unicamp, it represents an additional expense of around R$2,5 million per month. At the end of a year, considering salary, 13th salary and vacation bonus, the amount rises to around R$34 million.
The offer to increase the value of food assistance represents an additional expense of R$5,7 million in the period from July to December this year and R$11,460 million in 2019. Another proposal made by the Central Administration, whose calculation of the impact on the budget cannot be realized now, it refers to the allocation of 10% of the excess ICMS collection in 2018 for application in the career plans of civil servants, teachers and researchers.
On the other hand, if the University fully met the demands contained in the STU's original agenda, for the restoration of food aid based on accumulated inflation, granting of meal vouchers, career implementation and exemption from charging for chartered transport, the additional expenses would be R$315 million, that is, more than double the estimated deficit.
Due to the serious financial difficulties that the University is going through and the uncertainty about the direction of the country's economy and politics, rector Marcelo Knobel has stated, it is completely unfeasible to meet the Union's demands. “As public managers, we have responsibilities for preserving the University’s activities. We need to avoid an even more critical situation, in which even salaries would be threatened”, the leader has pondered.
As important as discussing the University's current financial condition in a transparent and responsible manner with the STU is correctly informing society about the progress of negotiations with the Union. In this way, Unicamp has recorded, with texts and photos, all meetings between the parties and made the information available on its website. Furthermore, the University has also provided the press daily, through notes or interviews with its spokespersons, with data on the institution's budget reality, as well as on the progress of talks with the Union.
Unicamp's accounts, as the Central Administration has assured, are completely open to public consultation. “Nothing is hidden here. All our decisions are made based on the reality revealed by the numbers. We understand that our proposals do not meet the interests of workers, but at this moment we are unable to move forward in relation to what we offer the Union. It is worth highlighting that we remain open to dialogue. As soon as we overcome the current difficulties, nothing prevents us from dealing with issues related to the economic agenda of workers again in the future”, has insisted Marcelo Knobel.
Despite all the efforts made by the Central Administration to build an agreement with the STU, the union has not made any moves in this direction over the last 45 days. Contrary to this, and even in the face of the radicalization of the strike, the Rectory proposed through a letter sent on the afternoon of this Thursday (5) the holding of another negotiation meeting, with the condition that the Rectory be vacated. In response, the STU also stated in an official letter that the workers decided in an assembly to continue the strike.
He also added that the same assembly approved two proposals: adjustment of the food allowance to R$ 1.080,00 and the non-deduction of days stopped during the strike, with the consequent replacement of accumulated work and the issuance of a supplementary sheet for the payment of discounts made. The rector reiterated his willingness to continue negotiating with the Union, but noted that conversations will only continue after the Rectory building has been completely vacated.
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