Mining firm contractor faces own labor problem

CEBU, Philippines - The workers union of a contracting company of Carmen Copper Corporation in Toledo City has filed a notice of strike before the National Conciliation and Mediation Board.

Members of the workers union of Galeo Equipment and Mining Company have accused the management of union busting after 11 of its officials were placed under preventive suspension effective June 5.

GEMC has an existing hauling contract with Carmen Copper Corporation for its mining operation in Toledo City.

The company is in-charge of hauling the mine waste from the mining site.

Dennis Derige, spokesperson of Partido ng Manggagawa and organizer of the Alliance of Genuine Labor Organization of which GEMC union is affiliated, said that they filed the notice of strike after all the 11 union officers were preventively suspended for 30 days.

“They were suspended on the night of June 5 after they did not render overtime work,” Derige said.

Derige said the suspension was illegal. He also accused the management union busting and non-payment of benefits.

GEMC has more or less 560 employees working at the Carmen Copper Mining. According to Derige, it is very clear that the management is trying to get rid of the union officials because there were about 200 employees who refused to render over time work but the 11 union officers were singled out.

“So, klaro gyud ni nga union busting ang gihimo sa company,” Derige added.  (FREEMAN)