SSS workers restive, threaten strike

The 4,000-member employees’ union of the Social Security System (SSS) threatened yesterday to go on strike, accusing their new Chief Executive Officer Vitaliano Nanagas of alleged abuse of authority and unfair labor practice.

Carol Basilio, president of the Alert and Concerned Employees for Better SSS (ACESS), said Nanagas, in violation of his own eight-point ethical standards for official and personal conduct, has made several questionable purchases.

"When he took over as SSS chief, he had his office renovated, spending close to P1.5 million. Instead of using the service car left by his predecessor, he bought a brand new customized service car also worth more than a million pesos. He even supplied himself with six units of top-of-the-line mobile phones and an air pot worth P6,000," said Basilio.

She also accused Nanagas, a former banker, of abolishing committees, whether ad hoc, Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)-provided or required by civil service rules where the rank-and-file SSS employees are represented through their duly-elected or appointed union representatives. "He is riding roughshod over our rights guaranteed by our CBA," she said.

But SSS spokesman Joel Palacios denied the charges. He said President Arroyo should even commend the SSS president for complying with a presidential directive against luxury vehicles.

He said the SSS originally provided Nanagas with a Ford Expedition but he turned this down.

"For a while, he was using his own car," said Palacios. "A man of his stature deserves a better vehicle but he opted for a low-priced, lower-classed van."

Palacios said the union is also "overstating" its case when it accuses the SSS president of abolishing CBA-mandated committees. "That is outside his mandate, he cannot do that," said the SSS spokesman.

He said the SSS CEO runs a huge organization with branches here and abroad. "He needs to be in constant touch with many offices – that’s why he needs state-of-the-art communications equipment."

He said the changes the SSS president has implemented in his office are within his authority.

The SSS spokesman also said Nanagas has the full backing of the Social Security Commission (SSC) when he decided to hire a new executive vice president and assistant vice presidents from outside the SSS.

ACCESS said this was in violation of civil service rules and norms and practices widely observed in the SSS for top executive appointments or promotions.

The union has been holding daily lunch-time protest actions to call for Nanagas’ resignation. The union has written President Macapagal-Arroyo to draw her attention to a plan allegedly unveiled by the SSS president to privatize the P174-billion pension fund, which is easily the country’s biggest.

"We’re giving the President time to decide on this matter," said Ramon San Andres, union vice president. ACCESS has received the backing of the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) and the Confederation for Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (COURAGE).

At least 15,000 workers from 100 commercial firms in Metro Manila threatened to mount a mass work stoppage if government will insist on privatizing the SSS.

The militant Kilusang Mayo Uno yesterday said their members are planning to file notices of strike to signify their protest against the privatization of SSS.– Mayen Jaymalin <