Carmen Copper Corp. workers’ union protests stripping of bargaining rights

CEBU, Philippines - The Panaghiusa sa Mamumuo sa Carmen Copper Corporation-Alliance of Genuine Labor Organization  is set to hold a rally today at the Department of Labor and Employment-7 in protest of the recent order of its head office that stripped the union of its sole bargaining rights.

Dennis Derige, AGLO head organizer in the Visayas and Mindanao, said yesterday that DOLE’s move violated the union’s existing collective bargaining agreement.

Instead of being the sole CBA agent of Carmen Copper Corporation workers, the union is now named as mere CBA administrator.

Derige said that because of the order, the management has reportedly been emboldened to start doing acts detrimental to the union.

“We will file an appeal before the Court of Appeals because the order of DOLE is not final and executory,” he said.

To recall, PAMCC-AGLO filed a notice of strike on February 13 against the mining company but called the strike off on Feb. 27 after three of their four major demands were approved by management.

The union earlier said that it was a victory for them and was a step forward in protecting job security at CCC, the country’s largest mining firm.

The three demands were the regularization of 250 casual employees by March 8, 2014; for both parties to respect due process in the alleged infractions of 33 employees, who are also union members; and for the management to act on the employee’s complaint of union interference and unfair labor practice.  (FREEMAN)