VECO management rejects union settlement proposal

CEBU, Philippines - The management of the Visayan Electric Company (VECO) rejected the amicable settlement proposed by the employee’s union to stop the labor dispute between them.

Among the provisions in the proposed settlement of Veco Employees’ Union (VECEU) is the dropping of Casmero Mahilum not only as union president but also as member of the labor union.

Earlier, VECO management through Jaime Jose Aboitiz demanded to drop Mahilum from the official list of union officers.

VECEU also proposed to make amendments of the union’s official records before the Bureau of Labor Relation –Department of Labor and Employment.

“The rejection by management of the union’s proposal, which incorporates all Veco’s demands, proves that VECO management has no intention to forge a settlement with the union,” the union’s press release reads.

However, the management said under the law, the employee-employer relationship between the management and Mahilum still exists because a case for illegal dismissal is still pending before the Court of Appeals.

The management also said they could not give what VECEU wants in its proposal.

Gimenez said the union-busting move has become clearer and they vowed to exert all efforts to defend the union and their Collective Bargaining Agreement.

They said the management must resume the CBA negotiation and drop the charges filed against 16 unions officers and members who joined the May 1, 2012 rally.

They likewise asked the management to observe “status quo by restoring the original positions and assignments of VECEU officers being transferred to other positions assignments and work area.” (FREEMAN)