Gaisano lawyer: Legality of strike still a question

CEBU - There is no ruling yet whether the strike conducted by the Independent Labor Association of Workers and the Association of Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines is legal or not.

Lawyer Reggie Ramos, legal counsel for Gaisano Capital South yesterday made this clarification following reports that said the National Labor Relations Commission had upheld the legality of the strike conducted by the union members and their support groups.

“The issue of legality of the strike is still subject to a pending case before the National Conciliation and Mediation Board-Regional Arbitration Board. There is no ruling yet,” Ramos said in an interview with The FREEMAN last night.

Ramos said that what was being ruled by the NLRC the other day is their petition for injunction, which was issued by the NLRC against the striking members, and not on the issue whether the strike is legal or not.

It maybe recalled the ALU staged a strike and picket last August 9 at the premises of Gaisano Capital-Mactan and staged another strike and picket at the premises of Gaisano-Capital South on August 13, 2008.

Last Wednesday, NLRC Commissioner Aurelio Menzon issued a prohibitory injunction against “any act of violence, coercion or intimidation or obstruct of the free ingress to or egress from the employer’s premises for lawful purposes, or obstruct public thoroughfares.”

The NLRC also prohibited the participation of children or allowing their presence during the strike and wearing of masks or cloth on the faces of the strikers.

The labor court however denied the company’s claim for damages for lack of merit. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/WAB