Union re-files notice of strike

CEBU, Philippines -  Amid the allegations of union busting committed by the management of Carmen Copper Corporation, a notice of strike was refiled yesterday before the National Conciliation and Mediation Board-7 against the country’s biggest mining firm.

The Panaghiusa sa Mamumuo sa Carmen Copper Corporation-Alliance of Genuine Labor Organization (PMCCC-AGLO) expressed displeasure on the issues between the union and the management.

Dennis Derige, AGLO head organizer Visayas-Mindanao, said that among the issues are the retrenchments of 70 employees, who are also their union members, as well as the alleged non-remittance of dues by the company to the union.

Derige said that aside from the terminated 70 employees, another 69 employees lost their jobs and that they heard that 300 more employees are due for termination.

He said that the management has formed a new union despite the fact that there is a valid collective bargaining agreement between PAMCC-AGLO and the mining company.

He added that the management cancelled the labor education seminar as and the grievance mechanism, as well as the non-compliance of the February 26 agreement.

It can be recalled that PAMCC-AGLO withdrew their notice of strike last February 26 after three of their four major demands were agreed upon between the two parties.

Derige added that after filing their notice of strike, they may launch their strike without observing the 15-day cooling-off period.

Meanwhile, the same union held a rally yesterday in protest of the recent order issued by the secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment that stripped-off the rights of PAMCC-AGLO as the sole bargaining agent of CCC and instead stated that the labor union was merely an administrator of the CBA.

In a statement to The Freeman, Carmen Copper strongly denied violating the CBA and clarified each point raised by union starting off with the dismissal of employees.

“With the completion of the company’s expansion project, project employees assigned to the said project were dismissed.”

The management also highlighted the decision of the Department of Labor and Employment, dated March 3, 2014, which reportedly has become final and executory last March 19.

Among the points in the decision show that the company reverts to its unorganized state and that the Certification Election on January 25, 2013 was declared valid and CCWLO won but since its registration was cancelled, it could not be declared as the Sole and Exclusive Bargaining Agent (SEBA).

Further, the management said that it has not received a copy of the notice of strike yet and will formally address the issues when it receives the document.  (FREEMAN)