DepEd union blinks, will talk with Lapus

Employees of the Department of Education have agreed to talk things over with incoming DepEd Secretary Jesli Lapus to settle any differences and promote a harmonious working relationship.

The 40,000-strong Department of Education-National Employees Union (DepEd-NEU) led by Domingo Alidon said they have agreed to a meeting with Lapus this weekend to thresh out any differences over policies in running the department.

Alidon said they will demand from Lapus the "professional handling" of DepEd, without any politics involved as well as respecting the rights of unionism and continuation of reforms installed by previous department chiefs, among other issues.

Alidon made the announcement in contrast to their demands that they will not allow Lapus to enter DepEd.

The union claimed Lapus is not capable to lead the department and several employees have expressed apprehensions over the appointment of a politician as DepEd secretary.

Union members even threatened to barricade the DepEd main office to prevent Lapus from taking over.

The union even demanded President Arroyo to reconsider her decision in appointing a politician.

They said a non-politician and a professional should be appointed as they pushed to retain Undersecretary Fe Hidalgo to head DepEd.

Lapus, on the other hand, said he wanted to be fair with the employees if ever there would be a negotiation.