Labor groups stage strike vs department store

Independent Labor Association of Workers in coordination with the Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines relentlessly aired their protest against Taipan Development Corporation by staging another strike yesterday at the Gaisano South-Capital.

Silvia Osable, president of ILAW, said the management remains “deaf and blind towards their demands.” The management is alleged to have wantonly disregarded their plea of reinstating the terminated and suspended workers of Gaisano-Mactan.

Last month, the labor groups filed a notice of strike accusing the management of unfair labor practices. The management also was alleged to have had “insidiously made the personnel, who have worked for the management for 15 years, appear to be liable of an offense they had not committed.”

Reportedly called up by an officer of the Gaisano-Mactan, Mayor Tomas Osmeña arrived at the scene in an attempt to shoo away the protesters.

A female protester got wounded on her right hand after allegedly being deliberately pushed away by Osmeña.

In a report over TV Patrol Central Visayas, Osmeña said, “I just tried to control the situation because they threatened to block the way and bang the door.”

The mayor also observed that some of the rallyists are blocking the streets causing traffic.

Osmeña stayed in the area for around 30 minutes reportedly keeping an eye on the protesters so as to prevent another commotion.

“Nahunong man ang kagubot kuno ganiha pag-abot ni Mayor, isip respetar na lang pod kay mayor man lagi siya. Wala man siguro kahibaw na si Mayor nga legal ning among strike,” Osable said.

Also, Josefina “Joy” Lim, spokesperson of ALU-TUCP, complained of the mayor’s presence. “Nag-apil apil man si Osmeña nga wala man unta siya’y labot niini,” she said, adding that it was not their group that started the trouble.

The commotion reportedly started when a security guard of the said store allegedly pushed away one of the protesters.

 “Gisamokan siguro siya namo nga kun buot hunahunaon, wala man mi ga-wild nag-protesta diri,” Osable said.

She added that until now, there is still no follow-up dialogue between the two parties with the intervention of the National Conciliation and Mediation Board, describing that the “NCMB could not even effectively mediate on the dispute” and hit on the alleged failure of the NCMB to “extract positive statements and actions from the management.”

Meanwhile, protesters cautioned elements of the Philippine National Police to stay 50 meters away from their picket line, pointing out that the strike is legal.

The policemen kept watch at the vicinity of the said store and managed to observe maximum tolerance upon protesters.

The FREEMAN tried to get the side of the management but they refused to give comments.

As of this writing, the labor groups have continued to air their protest at the entrance of the store. — Niña Chrismae G. Sumacot/MEEV