Bu-lat-lat (boo-lat-lat) verb: to search, probe, investigate, inquire; to unearth facts Volume 3, Number 26 August 3 - 9, 2003 Quezon City, Philippines |
LABOR
WATCH
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Princess of the Universe, one of Sulpicio's luxury liners, was among the 24 ships that the strike paralyzed |
The
seafarers’ two-day strike was clearly a victory for the union.
Generoso
Sasis, president of the Unyon ng mga Mandaragat sa Sulpicio and Solid Towage and
Lighterage Inc. (Union of Seafarers in Sulpicio and Solid Towage and Lighterage
Inc.¾
UMSS), said they officially lifted their piketlines in all Sulpicio ports July
31 after the union and the management signed a Memorandum of Agreement.
Lawyers
Manuel Espina and Dante Vargas, who represented the management, negotiated with
UMSS-ANGLO-KMU, which is an affiliate of
the Alliance of Nationalist and Genuine Labor Organization (ANGLO) under
Kilusang Mayo Uno (May First Movement¾KMU).
The MoA included a no-retaliatory clause for the striking workers.
Edo Edmedorial, secretary general of the union, said that the management promised to address the grievances raised by the workers including the suspension, disembarkation, transfer, and termination of several workers
The
administration also pledged to recognize their union as the legitimate seafarers
union at Sulpicio.
Sulpicio
Lines ranks third in the domestic shipping lines in the country. It has 15
passenger ships, nine cargo container ships and three tugboats. The
shipping company is owned by shipping tycoon Carlos Go.
The
triumphant strike was participated in by more than 700 personnel, paralyzing 24
of the 27 vessels and liners at dawn of July 29, including the Princess of the
Universe, one of Sulpicio's largest luxury liners which can accommodate 2,000
passengers.
The
Cebu-bound ship was not able to sail because the cabin crew held a protest in
the deck.
The
strike paralyzed operations in several ports in Cebu, Iloilo, Davao, Cagayan de
Oro City, Ormoc City, Tacloban City, Dipolog City, and Manila.
Sasis said “they could no longer endure the severe
exploitation being done against them by the Sulpicio management despite their
perseverance to improve the quality of their public service.”
Among
the issues that the workers were opposing were union busting, illegal suspension
and termination of seafarers identified with the union, and discrimination
against KMU members, very low wages and scarce benefits, unlawful transfer of
work or re-assignments, 12-14 working hours without overtime pay, verbal
harassment, and unsafe working conditions in the vessels.
Sasis attributed the anti-worker policies to the conspiracy of the management and the Cebu-based Alliance of Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP).
He
said that ALU-TUCP leaders Michael and Harley Mendoza forged an agreement with
the management for a substandard Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) package.
At
around 8:30 a.m. of July 29, hired goons reportedly opened fire at the
protesters in Sulpicio main office in Cebu City.
The
aggressors even threw several striking seafarers into the sea. KMU-Cebu chairman
Jaime Paglinawan, Sulpicio employee Alex Quimpo and a cameraman of a local TV
station were among those who were thrown to the sea.
Meanwhile,
the union also condemned military's interference in the labor dispute.
Cotabato city mayor and Sulpicio Lines Cotabato branch manager allegedly
threatened to deploy Philippine Marines at the picketline.
The
seafarers union, however, asserted that even if they were on strike, they have
ensured the safety of passengers of the vessels at sea. The workers also allowed
the unloading of container vans with military equipment, food and medicines in
the Cotabato City port instead of lifting the strike.
On
the other hand, the union criticized the National Conciliation and Mediation
Board (NCMB) and Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) Secretary Patricia
Sto. Tomas for allegedly favoring the Sulpicio management.
Sasis
claimed that the management legal panel and members of the media were the first
to be furnished with a copy of the return to work order DoLE issued than the
striking workers.
“Labor
Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas once again proved her title as ‘Assumption of
Jurisdiction Queen’ with the latest order she issued against the striking
seafarers. The return to work order she issued is actually a license to quell
the strike and crush the picket line through violent means,” KMU chairperson
Elmer Labog said.
Sasis
added that even “the meeting facilitated by NCMB Arbiter Wilfredo Rojo failed
to give significant solutions” to their grievances.
Meanwhile,
the union appreciated individuals and organizations that supported their battle.
Kim
Scipes¾author
of KMU: Building Genuine Trade Unionism in the Philippines, 1980 – 1994,
Nepal’s GEFONT, International League of People's Struggle (ILPS) - Turkish
Section, Philippine – Australia Union Links and the KMU-Quezon City chapter
were among those that sent solidarity messages. These support messages, the
union said, have been an inspiration to the workers.
“This
is an important victory not just for Sulpicio seafarers but also for all
sea-based workers in other shipping lines. Our struggle will be a motivation for
other seafarers to assert their just demands,” Elmedorial said. “We
challenge the Department of Labor and Employment to ensure the
implementation of the agreed provisions in the MoA.” Bulatlat.com