6 KMU-affiliated workers dismissed by bakeshop mgt.

CEBU, Philippines - The Kilusang Mayo Uno- affiliated union of Anita’s Home Bakeshop workers has claimed that the bakeshop management has terminated the services of six of its members, including that of the union’s president.

Elpedio Caterbas, coordinator of Anita’s Home Bakeshop Workers Union- Alliance of Nationals Genuine Labor Organization- KMU, allege that the move to reduce the number of voters from their group for the forthcoming certification election on April 24.

 ”This is clearly union busting and even the union president was not exempt from this grave harassment done by the management,” Caterbas said.

Catebas allege the dismissal was done in bad faith because it was carried out despite an agreement between the management and the union to observe status quo until the Certification Election. The agreement was reportedly arrived at before the National Conciliation and Mediation Board.

Caterbas said AHBWU-ANGLO-KMU president Valentino Dagupan reportedly refused to accept any offer of separation pay from the management and will continue to fight “this orchestrated plan of retrenchment.”

The FREEMAN tried to get the reaction of management but no one was available for comment as of this writing.

Caterbas claims this move of management is “a big mistake” because the union can easily replace its leaders with its active members.

AHBWU-ANGLO-KMU also urged the management to re-hire the dismissed workers and have them assigned to newly-opened branches along General Maxilom Avenue and the North Reclamation Area.

The ongoing labor dispute at Anita’s Bakeshop surfaced after the management said it only recognizes the Anita’s Home Baskeshop Inc. Employees Union as the exclusive bargaining agent of the company, and not AHBWU-ANGLO-KMU.

Benjamin Cabinian, the company’s operation manager earlier said AHBIEA has an existing Collective Bargaining Agreement with the management that would expire in 2013 and, therefore, AHBWU-ANGLO-KMU should respect the same.

Meanwhile, Emmanuel Canete, the union consultant of AHBIEA, said earlier they are confident that their union will have majority of the numbers during the Certification Election.

The Department of Labor and Employment has scheduled an ocular inspection and certificate of posting at the bakeshop’s main office in Lahug and its branch in Fuente Osmeña tomorrow. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/JMO   (THE FREEMAN)