Veco union set to launch protests after talks fail

CEBU, Philippines - The Visayan Electric Company-Employees Union is set to launch a series of protests after their general membership meeting tomorrow as their efforts for mediation outside the legal sphere of the National Labor Relations Commission failed.

Union president Casmero Mahilum, considered by the management as an ex-employee and an ex-union president in view of his termination last October 28, said that even Cebu Archbishop Cardinal Ricardo Vidal, whom they asked for help, instead referred the matter to be resolved with the proper government agency.

Earlier, the union asked for help in a letter request to Vidal, Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, all Cebu congressmen and the different Cebu business chambers to convince the management of VECO to an amicable settlement.

Mahilum said that the presence of the cardinal in a mediation would create a “cool atmosphere” during negotiation as they expect heated arguments with the management.

 “Daku ang posibilidad nga magka-initay kung walay presence sa clergy,” Mahilum said, adding that while the presence of the clergy does not guarantee a settlement it can change the atmosphere.   VECO spokesperson Ethel Natera said that they are still for mediation with the NLRC.

The union has already questioned the delay of the turnover of the documents by the secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment to the NLRC Manila then to the NLRC-7th Division in Cebu. 

Mahilum said this would further give the management time to violate the status quo order of the DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz.

The union has filed a notice of strike last October 28 and is now contemplating filing a second notice of strike.

The VECO management preferred compulsory arbitration as it believes that conciliation and mediation outside the legal confines of compulsory arbitration will be unruly.

VECO 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. (THE FREEMAN)