TV network denies layoffs, union-busting

BROADCAST giant ABS-CBN Corp. is accusing leaders of its job pool of “peddling disinformation,” saying it has not terminated workers nor prevented employees from forming a labor union.

In a statement, the listed television and radio network explained that new positions had been offered to some members of its “Internal Job Market” or IJM, but not all of them accepted the offer. ABS-CBN said these were regular positions “with improved packages based on total compensation including salaries and benefits.”

IJM workers are not treated as regular employees. ABS-CBN describes the unit as a “database of accredited technical or creative individuals who offer their services to the company for the production of programs,” and not an “internal labor agency.”

A group calling itself the ABS-CBN IJM Workers’ Union, which failed to get official recognition last year, claims 31 workers out of 1,400 in the job pool have not received work schedules after declining the ABS-CBN management’s offer. The group of cameramen, audiomen, and other technical staff has been fighting for better pay and regular status, but claimed the recent offer was “bogus” as workers won’t be given backpay and would be required to waive other claims.

Ramon R. Osorio, ABS-CBN spokesman, said: “Contrary to what other groups have written and claimed, ABS-CBN Corp. is not dismissing or retrenching employees. In fact, we are even hiring for new positions from the IJM pool. We regret though that there are certain groups that have been peddling disinformation and misrepresentations about this ongoing process without regard for the general welfare of the company and its stakeholders.”

“In response to the fast-changing landscape of the media industry, ABS-CBN Corp. has launched strategic initiatives that have strengthened the company’s competitive position and resulted in the creation of new regular positions in support of these strategies,” he said.

However, not all 1,400 IJM members will be offered regular positions. “These limited regular posts were tailor-made to address the changes in the industry, technology and competitive environment. Individuals from the IJM who match the requirement and are best qualified were offered these regular positions,” Mr. Osorio said.

Some IJM workers declined the offer “for reasons such as having different career plans, poor health condition and reservations about the job packages,” ABS-CBN said.

Other workers were offered either long-term or program contracts.

“Their initial response to these offers was very positive. We want to move on with the employees that want to work with us and help make us bigger and better. We won’t force those who choose not to. We cannot please everybody but we believe we are doing what is right and in the best interests of everyone concerned,” he said.

IJM workers’ group vice-president Alain Cadag said ABS-CBN management should clear the status of 31 IJM workers dismissed since June 17. “The management told them they will lose their jobs if they do not accept the offer to be regularized,” he said.

These workers have filed illegal dismissal cases against ABS-CBN.

The listed broadcaster has been keeping a tight lid on production costs and administrative expenses, yielding a 37% increase in recurring profits to P1.79 billion last year.

Revenues went up by 11% to P24.85 billion, but total expenses grew faster at 13% to P22.4 billion. Production costs rose by only 2% to P6.29 billion last year.

Rival GMA Network, Inc. is more profitable, earning P2.8 billion in 2009.