University of O’Higgins Responds to Union Claims of Unpaid Wages

Following allegations from the Freelance Workers Union (SITRAHUOH), the University of O’Higgins (UOH) issued an official statement on April 17 to clarify the payment situation. The institution claims to have held a crucial meeting with union representatives to review urgent cases and establish channels for follow-up to prevent further delays in salary disbursements.

The university denied that there are 1,800 unpaid workers, specifying that in January, 674 teaching agreements were processed due to the extended academic calendar. Of this specific number, they stated that only «6% are pending and under review to be processed promptly,» dismissing allegations of a crisis as severe as reported in the article Hunger and Precariousness at the University of O’Higgins: 1,800 Workers Without Pay.

However, union representatives previously warned that the precariousness had reached an unsustainable level, stating, «We have been working for over a month, we have assigned courses and students,» emphasized an anonymous union leader to El Ciudadano, stressing that many educators must choose between feeding themselves or affording transportation to teach. Despite this, after the meeting with Rector Fernanda Kri on April 17, the union appreciated the acknowledgment of union freedom and the agreement for a permanent working group.

Regarding the contracts for the first semester of 2026, UOH detailed that approximately 1,200 agreements are in process for classes that began in late March. According to the administration, these documents «are being processed normally» and should be paid within the correct timelines, as long as there are no errors in the information provided by the contractors. In this respect, the union confirmed in a public statement on April 21 that an increase is noted in the preparation and signing of documents, and that the platform now allows the submission of work reports and payment slips for March and April.

UOH asserts that during the meeting, leaders presented a list of 75 priority cases that require immediate review by the administration. SITRAHUOH emphasized that services cannot be sustained at the cost of mental health, requesting a public statement from the rector that apologizes for the administrative and financial management issues affecting them.

The institution attributed the identified problems to administrative and technical adjustments, but assured that all necessary measures have been taken to rectify the existing faults. While the union does not rule out legal action to «restore the dignity of their work,» the university insists that the affected figures are lower and that they will continue monitoring until each pending case is resolved.

See the UOH statement below:

UOH statement on wages April 17 Download

Also see the union’s new statement:

Public statement April 21 Download

La entrada University of O’Higgins Responds to Union Claims of Unpaid Wages se publicó primero en El Ciudadano.