Higher Education Union Accuses St. John's University of Improper Dismissal Procedures; University Responds: Legal and Appropriate
The Taiwan Higher Education Union accused St. John's University of pushing forward with dismissal procedures before collective bargaining had legally concluded and teacher placement procedures were substantially completed. The university responded that the procedures are legal and appropriate, necessitated by a decline in student numbers.
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- 📰 Published: May 14, 2026 at 15:17
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Central News Agency, New Taipei, 14th - The Taiwan Higher Education Union (THEU) held a press conference today accusing St. John's University of advancing dismissal procedures before collective bargaining was legally terminated and teacher placement procedures were substantially completed. St. John's University responded that its procedures are legal and appropriate.
Chang Chih-lun, director of the THEU's organization and training department, stated that the union began negotiations with St. John's University last year, but the university did not negotiate in good faith.
At the press conference today, the THEU also pointed out that St. John's University's continued advancement of dismissal procedures, before collective bargaining has legally ended and teacher placement is substantially complete, may have already affected the decisions and procedural legality of relevant faculty evaluation committees.
St. John's University responded by citing the Ministry of Labor's Decision No. 114-Labor-Arbitration-31, which determined that the university needed to conduct teacher counseling and placement due to a significant decrease in student numbers between 2022 and 2025, a fact not denied by the union.
The university pointed out that among the accusations made by the THEU, eight claims of unfair labor practices related to the placement process were all ruled unfounded. The ruling also mentioned that it was difficult to determine that the university had acted in bad faith during the teacher placement and counseling process.
The university stated that after the arbitration hearing concluded, it proactively invited the union to resume negotiations and completed the fourth collective agreement negotiation meeting on April 9. However, the university believes that some issues raised by the union, involving campus autonomy, are beyond the scope of discussion. The university respects the union's rights but will not accept unreasonable demands that infringe upon campus autonomy under the guise of negotiation.
The university urged the union to stop using words like 'fraud' and return to rational communication, stating it will not tolerate false statements that damage the school's reputation. The school will also continue with the subsequent counseling and placement process to maintain campus operations. (Editor: Long Po-an) 1150514
Chang Chih-lun, director of the THEU's organization and training department, stated that the union began negotiations with St. John's University last year, but the university did not negotiate in good faith.
At the press conference today, the THEU also pointed out that St. John's University's continued advancement of dismissal procedures, before collective bargaining has legally ended and teacher placement is substantially complete, may have already affected the decisions and procedural legality of relevant faculty evaluation committees.
St. John's University responded by citing the Ministry of Labor's Decision No. 114-Labor-Arbitration-31, which determined that the university needed to conduct teacher counseling and placement due to a significant decrease in student numbers between 2022 and 2025, a fact not denied by the union.
The university pointed out that among the accusations made by the THEU, eight claims of unfair labor practices related to the placement process were all ruled unfounded. The ruling also mentioned that it was difficult to determine that the university had acted in bad faith during the teacher placement and counseling process.
The university stated that after the arbitration hearing concluded, it proactively invited the union to resume negotiations and completed the fourth collective agreement negotiation meeting on April 9. However, the university believes that some issues raised by the union, involving campus autonomy, are beyond the scope of discussion. The university respects the union's rights but will not accept unreasonable demands that infringe upon campus autonomy under the guise of negotiation.
The university urged the union to stop using words like 'fraud' and return to rational communication, stating it will not tolerate false statements that damage the school's reputation. The school will also continue with the subsequent counseling and placement process to maintain campus operations. (Editor: Long Po-an) 1150514