ALU-TUCP hits USC-TC for ‘union busting

CEBU, Philippines -  The Associated Labor Union-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines said it would bring the dispute between its union members working at the University of San Carlos and the school management to no  less than the Vatican, particularly Pope Francis.

 â€œWho knows he (Pope Francis) will listen to the downtrodden,” said ALU-TUCP spokesperson Art Barrit.  He, however, did not say how the labor group intends to bring the matter to the Pontiff.

Yesterday, ALU-TUCP branded the recent move of the SVD priests managing the USC-TC in terminating the services of all of its employees General Services Office  as union busting.

“Klaro nga union busting ilang gihimo (It is clearly union busting). They will rehire the 15 employees who stage a strike provided nga di na sila miyembro sa (that they are no longer members of the) union,” said Barrit.

To recall, USC-TC decided to close the GSO as part of the streamlining of its workforce. As a result, 77 employees were affected and were offered retirement benefits, except for 15 employees who staged a strike since May 20.

Barrit said they were able to talk with Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma last Saturday together with the striking workers, on their request for intervention.

“The good Archbishop promised us to help after listening to the issues hurled by the striking workers.  He will inform the SVD (Society of the Divine Word)  priests and the USC administration on the ongoing labor strike,” said Barrit, in a statement.

In a press statement, Fr. Lucio Pedro Dayag, USC Board of Trustees secretary, said they decided during their May 27 meeting that the closure of GSO as a department and the termination of the employment of the employees under it was “final and non-negotiable.”

He said that the 15 employees who staged a strike have until Saturday to accept the school’s early retirement offer of one month salary for every year of service and an additional 10 months.

Dayag said that “beyond that date, the university will only grant the amount of separation pay as required by law,” which is one-half month salary for every year of service.

Barrit said he told Archbishop Palma that what the school is doing is purely “union busting” in the guise of  the K to12’s implementation.

“What the SVD priests and USC administrators are doing are clear manifestations of suppressing the rights of the unionized workers as guaranteed in the Constitution,” he said.

He said the Divine Word University in Tacloban, whose teaching personnel and staff were under ALU, was also closed because of simple labor issues. The case reached the Supreme Court and the DWU lost the case.

This Friday - May 30, there will be a meeting of the other labor unions and federations under the Nagkaisa in support of the striking workers.

Barrit said the workers have the support of student organizations like the Tingog Party, the incumbent Supreme Student Council Government, and the Stand Party as well as the USC College Faculty Independent Union.

He added that the students’ support to their cause is shown through social media.ALU-TUCP will be coming up with tarpaulins stating among others, the valid issues raised by the striking workers and the increase on their tuition fees.

Dayag assured that the former GSO workers would be “given preference” in the hiring of electricians and plumbers.

The board, though, requires that the applicant has Technical Education Skills Development  Authority certification and follows the competitive screening process, which was why it welcomes ALU-TUCP’s offer to facilitate the TESDA training of its members. (FREEMAN)