Priests’ group writes to PNoy against VECO, DOLE

CEBU, Philippines – The National Clergy Discernment Group (NCDG) sent a position letter to the Office of the President on what it said was unjust treatment of the Visayan Electric Company (VECO) against some Visayan Electric Company Employees Union (VECEU) members.

The NCDG, a group of Roman Catholic bishops and priests nationwide, said the alleged unfair treatment was made even after the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) ruled that the two parties should not do anything to make matters worse.

In a March 15-letter signed by NCDG chairman, Archdiocese of Jaro Auxiliary Bishop Gerardo Aminaza, the group claimed that the VECO management continues to engage in illegal union busting activities.

The VECO management refused to comment on the letter.

These “illegal” acts, according to NCDG, include the continued suspension of the union’s president, the “questionable” conversion of some union member status to “confidential employees” the immediate cancellation of their union membership, contractualization of regular work, as well as interrogation and harassment to renounce support for the union.

VECEU had reported these validations to DOLE on December 3, 2010.

“DOLE-7 did not even have the decency to respond to the formal letter…DOLE did nothing about the violations of its legal order. What is going on here? May this be investigated?” the letter reads. — (FREEMAN)