Atlas workers dump KMU for ANAD

Workers of Atlas Consolidated Mining and Development Corp. in Toledo City have formally left the militant group Kilusang Mayo Uno and forged ties with the party-list group Alliance for Nationalism and Democracy.

The Panaghiusa sa Mamumuo sa Atlas (PAMA)-Southern Philippines Federation Labor yesterday announced that it has already left KMU after its members realized that they were being deceived by the militant group which triggered the closure of Atlas Mining.

PAMA-SPFL president Tony Cuizon said KMU had deceived them through the use of what he called as legal fronts, which resulted to the loss of jobs of their workers.

PAMA-SPFL-KMU used to have over 3,000 members in Cebu. Yesterday, at least 200 of its members flocked to the Cogon Ramos Sports Complex to denounce their KMU membership.

The group formally announced their alliance with ANAD party-list, which is "pro-democracy and anti-communist".

Since 1986, PAMA-SPFL-KMU has launched protest actions against Atlas Mining, which resulted to the closure of the firm in the early 90's and left thousands of workers jobless.

"Gusto na mi og kalinaw sulod sa minahan, walay kalihukan politikal ug mga kalihukan kontra gobiyerno, maong midesider ming mopailawom sa payong sa ANAD," Cuizon said.

He added that with the impending reopening of Atlas Mining, it has been stipulated in their agreement that PAMA will not launch mass actions against the firm.

Meanwhile, ANAD chairman Jun Alcover said they will create the Alternative Labor Center that will address the concerns of the Atlas Mining workers. - Jasmin R. Uy/LPM