VECO union wants new talks with management

CEBU, Philippines – The Visayan Electric Company Employees' Union-ALU reiterated its call for a dialogue with the management after they were able to get 177 signatures from members asking the management to agree to a dialogue to settle their current labor dispute.

Casmero Mahilum, the union president said that the union reiterates and supports the call for mediation from the Visayas Clergy Discernment Group.

"This is consistent with the union's stand to promote industrial peace through dialogue," he said.

VECEU-ALU is the sole and exclusive bargaining agent representing the rank-and-file employees of the said electric company.

The union called off their planned strike last week after the secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment assumed jurisdiction over the ongoing labor dispute between the union and the management

DOLE secretary Rosalinda Baldoz certified to the National Labor Relations Commission for compulsory arbitration. The NLRC will not sit as a judicial court but an administrative body charged with the duty to implement the secretary's order.

Mahilum added that they will also formalize their complaint against the management before the NLRC in relation to the recent transfer of active union members to other company departments.

Mahilum added that the union will also formalize its complaint against the management for allegedly withholding his salary and other benefits despite the order of the Secretary of Labor to reinstate him to its payroll.

Last Friday, the management filed its manifestation and motion to deposit salary of Mahilum before the NLRC.

Mahilum was terminated from service last October 28, 2010.

VECO in its manifestation said that it has sought clarification from NCMB on the coverage if the payroll reinstatement order of Mahilum as the latter expressed that he wants full reinstatement instead of merely a payroll reinstatement.

"Under the circumstances and considering that the records of the case have not officially reached the NLRC-7, VECO deems it appropriate to deposit with the NLRC the salary of Mahilum pending resolution of the dispute," the manifestation read.

Mahilum said that the union will file an opposition to this manifestation as it clearly violates the order of the DOLE secretary. (FREEMAN)