Furniture firm defies order to re-admit sacked workers

Despite the return-to-work order issued by the Department of Labor and Employment, the management of Celloom Furniture based in Canduman, Mandaue City has continued to defy the order.

Acting Labor Secretary Danila Cruz ordered the management to re-admit 12 workers who were earlier dismissed after forming a labor union. The dismissed workers scheduled for re-admission are union president Eliseo Masucol and members Richard Velarde, Rocelo Bragat, Joel Rosal, Edmundo Roble, Benito Cabardo, Romancio Gulfa, Rolando Camingking, Gerard Caputolan, Reynaldo Olimba, Rogelio Capungan and Victoriano Lauronal.

Arnold Arcipe, a representative from the Associated Labor Union and Rex Ramos, representative of the National Conciliation and Mediation Board, yesterday escorted the 12 dismissed workers to the office of the furniture company.

But the management refused to reinstate the 12 on grounds that the company doesn't need more workers as of the moment with its low production of furniture pieces.

"Klaro kaayo ang ilang pag-defy sa return-to-work order, taphaw kaayo ang ilang rason nga dili pa una pasudlon ang 12 kay menos pa daw ang patrabaho sa su'd ug nga wa pa sila magkinahanglan og trabahante," Arcipe said.

"Dako kaayo ang akong pagmahay sa management, nahiubos gyud mi pag-ayo," Masucol said.

The DOLE has ordered the status quo of both the management and dismissed workers while the labor dispute is still being evaluated at the National Labor Relations Commission.

Masucol said they are now planning to initiate a protest rally at the premises of the company following the defiance of the management. Last August 31, over 30 workers and union members staged a strike and accused the management of "union busting".

"Kun di sila mopatuo sa order may pa molusad mi og balik og protesta," Masucol said.

"We will be filing a manifestation nga gi-defy sa management ang order and we will be waiting kun unsa'y sanction sa Department of Labor," Joy Lim, spokesperson of ALU, said.

The officers of the newly unionized group at Celloom Furniture were all terminated last August 10 after their union was registered at the labor department. - Ramil V. Ayuman