VECO union asks for help: Vidal ‘looking’ into labor row

CEBU, Philippines – Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal is “now looking into” the row between the labor union and management of the Visayan Electric Company (VECO).

Father Joseph de Aquino, secretary of the Cardinal, said that the prelate received a letter-request from the VECO-Employees Union the other day seeking mediation with the management of their company.

De Aquino said that the Cardinal has called several people about the matter, but clarified that Vidal has not relayed to him any information whether he is willing to mediate or not.

VECO spokesperson Ethel Natera said that as of yesterday, they have not received any request or letter from the Cardinal.

“We will comment on this scenario if and when we do get such a request. As of now, there is none,” Natera said when asked if they are willing to go for mediation should the Cardinal ask.

In their request, VECOEU appealed to President Benigno Aquino III, Cardinal Vidal, Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, all Cebu congressmen, and the different Cebu business chambers to convince the management of VECO to agree to an amicable settlement through mediation.

VECOEU president Casmero Mahilum said that the union will reconsider a second filing of notice of strike, should their last ditch effort still fail.

“That is their choice. They do not have any capability whatsoever to disrupt any part of VECO’s electricity service to its customers in any shape, manner or form,” Natera said.

The union filed a notice of strike last October 28 before the National Conciliation and Mediation Board on the ground of unfair labor practice.

Mahilum was terminated from work due to lack of trust and confidence on that same day.

Seven days after the filing of the notice of strike, Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz assumed jurisdiction over the dispute.

As a result, the union called-off their planned strike and Baldoz ordered the management to reinstate Mahilum in the payroll while the case was submitted for compulsory arbitration before the National Labor Relations Commission.

Mahilum said that in spite of Baldoz’ order, VECO management continues to defy the secretary’s order.

On the other hand, the management in compliance with the payroll reinstatement order deposited last December 3 the salary Mahilum with NCMB-Region VII.

VECO’s motion to deposit the salary of Mahilum was accepted by NCMB, which facilitated the immediate release of the check.

Natera said that the release of Mahilum’s salary was delayed due to the confusion as to which is the proper government office to accept the check.

But Mahilum said the management has allegedly disobeyed the clear orders of Baldoz by using many devious acts of “legalese maneuvers.”

The letter stated that if the intervention of those who they have asked helped will fail, then the union will think seriously about acting on the last resort either to file another notice of strike or to defy DOLE secretary’s order no matter what happens.

The management already stated earlier that it prefers compulsory arbitration as it firmly believes that conciliation and mediation outside the legal confines of compulsory arbitration would be unruly.

VECO had said that the environment in a compulsory arbitration process would be controlled under a legal process by trained, and committed professionals in a tribunal environment where the parties cannot exert pressure, threaten and intimidate. – /NLQ (FREEMAN)