Golf club may accept back caddies on strike

CEBU, Philippines - The management of Cebu Country Club Inc. has expressed willingness to accommodate back the striking caddies but there would be more requirements before they are even allowed to enter the premises.

Montito Garcia, the club’s president, in an interview with The FREEMAN said caddies who took part in the strike and want to go back will be required to have an endorsement from the club member, medical and barangay clearances.

“Sa wala pa sila mag picket, wala mi nagkinahanglan ani nga mga requirements. But sa ilang gihimo, we will ask these requirements,” said Garcia, who himself was surprised when caddies launched a strike last Monday.

As far as the management is concerned, Garcia said there is no “employer-employee” relationship between the caddies and the management.

“Ang nag sweldo sa mga caddies kay ang club member man and not the club itself,” said Garcia.

Garcia admitted that the one week strike has shortened the 33rd Coral Institutional Golf Tournament, which was held only for three days instead of your days.

 â€œThe tournament was shortened not because there were no caddies but because the picketers are blocking the driveway. Ilahang gibabagan ang entrance pag Thursday, mao na among mga guests and members wala nakasulod,” Garcia lamented.

Other than this disruption, Jeric Hechanova, the club’s general manager said their operations remain normal.

To recall, several caddies who affiliated  with the Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines, have launched a strike as they opposed the “accreditation” move of the management.

Hechanova explained that there is nothing illegal in the memorandum as its main purpose is mainly for self-identification of the caddy, for safety and security of everyone entering the club premises as well as to ensure that caddies are honest, reliable and competent to handle the job.

Earlier, ALU-TUCP spokesperson Art Barrit said that caddies wanted a voluntary recognition that these caddies are employees of the club especially that majority of them have been working at the club for several years.

Barrit had said that the move to accredit caddies was done after the management learned that caddies have formed a union.

Hechanova said that the club has 250 caddies and there are still around 150 were left.

“Ang nahitabo karon ang nahabilin nga mga caddies, maoy naka income og doble samtang ang mga caddies nga nag picket, wala na silay income,” said Garcia.

He said that a caddy earns up to P500 for a four-hour work.

Valeriano “Bobbit” Avila, a club member and The FREEMAN columnist, said that caddies are not indispensable.

“Pwede ra kaayo magduwa og golf nga walay caddy. Nagbutang lang gyud ta og caddy in order to provide employment unya karon mag picket-picket na sila,” Avila said.

 The FREEMAN tried to get reactions from the strikers but they refused to be interviewed. (FREEMAN)