2 bus firms go on strike

Employees of a major bus company went on strike yesterday as police dispersed picketers in another big bus firm to allow buses to leave its terminal in Quezon City.

Protesters stopped operations in Philippine Rabbit bus terminals in Balanga and Mariveles in Bataan, Angeles and San Fernando in Pampanga, Alaminos in Pangasinan, Tarlac, Abra, Baguio, Laoag in Ilocos Norte and Vigan in Ilocos Sur.

Pol Viduya of Nagkakaisang Manggagawa sa Tarlac said the management of Philippine Rabbit fired several union officials and members to try to bust the company’s union.

Viduya said management also refused to give workers sick and vacations leave benefits, and 13th month pay as provided in their collective bargaining agreement (CBA).

Philippine Rabbit also failed to comply with several wage orders, he added.

The bus company operates in the whole of Northern Luzon.

On the other hand, police broke through the picket line of striking employees of JAC Liner after protesters prevented management from driving several buses out of the terminal.

Police said they are enforcing an order of the National Labor Commission for the buses to be allowed to transport passengers to the provinces starting today for All Saints’ Day.

However, striking employees continue to picket the terminals of JAC Liner in West Avenue, Quezon City and Aurora Boulevard in Pasay City.

Employees of JAC Liner said they went on strike last Oct. 22 because management refused to comply with their CBA.

JAC Liner plies the Manila-Quezon province and Manila-Batangas routes.

Meanwhile, Chairman Dante Lantin of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board warned operators of public utility vehicles yesterday their franchises and the licenses of their drivers would be revoked if they take advantage of commuters during the All Saints’ Day holidays.

"There will be a big demand for passenger vehicles this All Saints’ Day and I hope that PUV drivers and operators will not take advantage of this," he said. "Otherwise they will be meted with sanctions."

Lantin said the Land Transportation Office, Philippine National Police and Metro Manila Development Authority have deployed enforcers in bus stations, cemeteries and airports to monitor public utility vehicles.

"There are complaint desks in these areas that will assist those who will be victimized by abusive drivers," he said. "Victims can approach the desks so that field personnel could immediately apprehend the erring drivers." –Katherine Adraneda, Sheila Crisostomo, Efren Danao