Statement of WFTU Secretary General George Mavrikos

George Mavrikos

November 14, 2020

- Drown by rains ...

- Crushed by earthquakes...

- Frozen to death by cold ...

- Burnt by fires...

At this time, our affiliates in the Philippines inform us that due to Hurricane BAMKO, 61 people have lost their lives, more than 50 people are missing and tens of thousands are affected. The damages for people’s families are incalculable.

The government is going to shed ... false tears and is going to sell the well-known "fairy tale": IT WAS A NATURAL DISASTER. And, since it is a natural disaster, the blame is on God, the wind, the water ... Everyone is to blame except the government itself.

The truth is this: The blame is on the governments’ anti-labor policies against the homeless; the same policies that create shacks and favelas, shantytowns turned into ghettos, lack of rescue infrastructure, lack of medical care, lack of preparation and protection against hurricanes.

These are the real reasons why the poor and the popular strata are always unjustly losing their lives. It is the poor who always lose their lives.

We express our solidarity and know that our unions KATIPUNAN-KMM-KASAMA-BMP as well as all the leaders of the WFTU in the Philippines will do everything possible to help their people.

Pahayag ng Pakikiisa ng WFTU sa mga nasalanta ng Bagyong Rolly

Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino

November 7, 2020

Pahayag ng Pakikiisa ng WFTU sa mga nasalanta ng Bagyong Rolly (kilalang Typhoon Goni sa ibang bansa):

Athens, 05th November 2020

WFTU Solidarity statement on the typhoon Goni in the Philippines

The World Federation of Trade Unions, representing 105 million workers from 130 countries expresses its sincere internationalist solidarity with the people and workers of the Philippines who are affected by the typhoon Goni which has impacted more than 2 million people and killed at least 17 persons.

Once again poor and ordinary people are paying with their lives the criminal negligence and the lack of even the most basic and elementary protection measures. The government of the country has a heavy responsibility for the lack of timely, and effective measures for the prevention and protection of all areas that are frequently affected by typhoons, heavy rains, and floods.

The WFTU joins its voice with the class-oriented trade unions of the Philippines, demanding direct mobilization of the authorities in order to provide secure accommodation, food, clothes, and immediate rehabilitation - compensation to the affected people as well as the prompt implementation of adequate protective measures that will ensure the health and safety in all aspects of people's life.

The Secretariat

Pag-alala sa mga yumao

Ngayong Undas 2020, inaalala ng Bukluran ang ating yumaong mga lider, organisador, at mga lingkod ng uri at bayan. 

Sina: Ka Popoy Lagman, Ka Romy Castillo, Ka Milo Ferdinez, Ka Ronnie Luna, Ka Cesar Bristol, Ka Roger Borromeo at Ka Pedring Fadrigon ng KPML, Ka Eddie Suarez ng Taytay/East, Ka Peping ng Valenzuela, Ka Fort Mitiam ng Malabon, Ka Buddy Gulliab ng Marikina, Ka Bong Pacay ng Bukid area/Bagong Silang, kasamang Rudy Ferdevila ng SUPER, kasamang Rey Baltazar ng KPML, pangulong Bok Inoza ng Alaska, pangulong Emmanuel Ibe ng Liwayway Manufacturing, pangulong Lito Yazon ng Everbright, pangulong Pepe Graciano ng Philcan, pangulong Pulok Quiroz ng Philec Supervisory, pangulong Jun Vitalicio ng Integral Chemicals, kasamang Danny Bataller ng Philip Morris/Fortune/Filcon, kasamang Ernan Bautista ng Fortune Tobacco, kasamang Wowie at kasamang Larry Perez Jr. (Creep) ng BMP staff, kasamang Tado Jimenez, sina kasamang Toto Cayang, Lolo Aries, Noli Aman, Fernan Perez, Orly Gravador, Larry Labian, Racel Siena ng Teatro Pabrika, at marami pang mga buhay na inalay sa manggagawa't mamamayan.

Walang Putulan!

Mayorya ng mga pamilya ng manggagawa ay kumokonsumo ng mahigit 200 kwh kada buwan. Lalupa dahil ang "work from home" at "online schooling" ay pinatatakbo ng mga elektronikong mga kasangkapan.

Kaya kaunti lamang ang makikinabang sa advisory na ito ng ERC. 

Ang panawagan ng manggagawa't mamamayan: (1) Moratorium sa bill shock, (2) Imbestigahan ang biglaang pagtaas sa singil ng Meralco sa panahon ng lockdown, (3) Huwag pahirapan ang hirap nang taumbayan dahil sa kawalan at kakapusan sa kabuhayan. (4) Parusahan ang mga negosyanteng sinasamantala ang pandemya at resesyon, (5) WALANG PUTULAN, TULOY ANG LABAN!

DOLE's extension of floating status anti-worker and illegal

Press Statement

28 October 2020

DOLE'S EXTENSION OF FLOATING STATUS ANTI-WORKER AND ILLEGAL

The Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP) vehemently condemned DOLE Secretary Bello's Department Order 215-20, which allows the extension of floating status for workers beyond the original 6 months stipulated in the Labor Code.

"This is yet another instance of the Duterte administration's utilization of the pandemic to prioritize the profits of capitalists over the rights and dignity of workers," BMP President Luke Espiritu said.

The labor lawyer added that, "D.O. 215 allows employers to minimize, if not totally circumvent, the payment of separation pay commensurate to the length of service employees have rendered. This measure blatantly eschews any recognition of the worsening conditions of Filipino workers under the pandemic."

BMP pointed out that D.O. 215 merely legitimizes an already rampant practice by employers since the pandemic began. According to the labor group, thousands of workers have been put under floating status since the first months of the pandemic.

They also averred that, like Sec. Bello's previous Labor Advisory 17 earlier this year, which enabled companies to reduce wages and benefits, D.O. 215 is prone to abuse by employers.

"There are no measures in place for the DOLE to verify if the extension of suspension is actually necessary for a company's survival. Employers merely have to notify DOLE of the extension 10 days prior to its effectivity. As such, D.O. 215 can be used as another tool for union-busting and other unfair labor practices," bared Espiritu.

BMP also underscored that D.O. 215 is blatantly illegal for it is only congress that has the power to amend the Labor Code, especially for an issue as damaging to the working class as this extension of floating status.

"We call on the Philippine working class and the organized labor movement to unite in struggle against this illegal anti-worker measure, as it did against the attempted delaying of 13th month pay," Espiritu concluded.

For reference, please contact: Luke Espiritu

Labor Groups slam Cavitex layoffs, calls for just transition for toll-tellers

Press Release

26 October 2020

LABOR GROUP SLAMS CAVITEX LAYOFFS, CALLS FOR JUST TRANSITION FOR TOLL-TELLERS

Socialist labor group Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP) railed against the Cavitex Infrastructure Corp.'s (CIC) plan to terminate more than 100 toll-tellers operating the toll plazas of the Manila-Cavite Expressway (Cavitex) due to DOTR Sec. Tugade's push for 100% electronic toll collection lanes.

CIC, which is a unit of Manny V. Pangilinan's Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC), is set to terminate all its toll-tellers by October 31. It was contracted by the GOCC Public Estates Authority Tollway Corporation (PEATC) to manage and operate the expressway.

"The dismissal of 100+ Cavitex workers is yet another episode in a series of mass-layoffs ignited by the Duterte government's callous and ill-conceived schemes to contain the Covid-19 pandemic," said BMP President Luke Espiritu.

DOTR Secretary Arthur Tugade signed Department Order No. 2020-012 last August 13, directing all its attached agencies to fast track the transition to cashless transactions in all toll expressways so as to minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmissions. Thereafter, the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) required all concessionaires and operators to complete a full transition to automated cashless systems by November 2.

DOLE Compliance Order

The labor lawyer added: "Instead of prioritizing the safety and livelihood of workers in its pandemic response, Duterte and Tugade are unabashedly neglecting expressway workers, who are mostly contractuals under labor-only contractors that are owned by private operators like Pangilinan's MPIC and CIC."

BMP further bared that the Cavitex toll-tellers to be terminated are the same workers covered by a 2018 DOLE compliance order declaring all contractuals in Cavitex as regular employees of PEATC. BMP avers that CIC has refused to implement the compliance order.

"It is an outrage that these workers are to be abruptly terminated without even being recognized as and receiving the benefits of regular workers - a right which they had already struggled for and legally won!" Espiritu said.

Just transition

Considering the DOTR's transition to cashless transactions, BMP pointed out that toll-tellers are not rendered obsolete by electronic toll collection lanes. The automated systems still suffer from recurring malfunctions requiring quick troubleshooting, evident in the long lines it still produces especially during rush hour. 

Espiritu asserted that "these ETC, RFID, and AFCS systems still require consistent and ample technical assistance that can be provided by the same workers it replaced."

BMP also argued that toll-tellers could capacitate the reloading system for these cashless schemes, which are reportedly ill-equipped for the massive increase in users.

"These viable alternatives, as well as the existing and unimplemented compliance order, should be reason enough for both the government and CIC to plan and implement a just transition for Cavitex toll-tellers. We call on the state and all private expressway operators to ensure a just transition to prevent the unnecessary lay-offs of thousands of expressway workers," Espiritu concluded.

For reference, please contact: Luke Espiritu

Pahayag ng unyon ng St. Luke's Medical Center

KASUNDUAN SA CBA NA NILAGDAAN AT PINAGTIBAY IPATUPAD!

Pormal nang naidulog ng ST. LUKE’S MEDICAL CENTER (GC) EMPLOYEES UNION INDEPENDENT (SLMC(GC)EU-IND) sa National Conciliation and Mediation Board ng Department of Labor and Employment (NCMB-DOLE) ang kasong Unfair Labor Practice (ULP)dahil sa patuloy na pagtanggi ng pamunuan ng ospital na ipatupad ang mga kasunduang nasasaad sa Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).  

Pinagkasunduan, nilagdaan, pinagtibay pero ayaw ipatupad 

Ang mga economic and non economic provisions ng CBA sa pagitan ng unyon at management ay mahalagang bahagi ng kasunduang nalagdaan at pinagtibay sa pamamagitan ng ratipikasyon ng malaking mayorya ng mga kasapi ng unyon. Mahalaga ang mga probisyong ito na dapat nang kilalanin at tamasahin ng lahat ng mga manggagawang saklaw ng CBA batay sa mga sumusunod na kadahilanan; 

Una, ang mga isyu tungkol sa economic provisions na nasasaad sa CBA na inihapag ng unyon sa management  gaya ng non-payment of retroactive overtime (actual and on-call) unpaid VL conversion, parent dependent benefits, PPMCC implementation and its’ corresponding retroactive payment, PM/Night differential at kawalan ng IRR tungkol sa salary loans ng mga kasapi ay mahalagang benepisyo na dapat mapakinabangan ng mga kasapi lalo ngayong panahon ng krisis dulot ng pandemya.

Hindi bagong kahilingang benepisyo ang mga nabanggit at ito ay dumaan na sa masinsinang pag-uusap noong naganap negosasyon sa CBA. Negosasyon na humantong sa paglagda ng unyon at management at pinagtibay ng mga membro na umasang maipatutupad ito. 

Ikalawa, ang mga non-economic provisions tulad ng mga insidente ng non-approval of Union Leaves, pagbalewala o non-inclusion of union sa pagbubuo at pagpapatupad ng mga polisiya na nakaka-apekto sa trabaho at mga karapatan ng mga kasapi na nasasaad sa CBA at maging ang kabiguan sa obligasyon ng management na ipamahagi ang CBA booklet ay lubhang nakakabahala na mga hakbangin ng management. 

Gross CBA Violations = Unfair Labor Practice 

Sa dami ng mga paglabag sa CBA ay maliwanag nang may problema na tayo sa paraan ng pagtrato sa atin bilang unyon at bilang mga manggagawa. Sa tatlong beses na idinulog natin ang mga isyung nabanggit sa pamamagitan ng Labor Management Relation Committee (LMRC) meeting ay wala ni isang isyu na ating idinulog ang naresolba. 

Matagal na ang mga usaping nabanggit at basa pa ang tinta sa paglagda ng bagong CBA nang hilingin natin sa management ang pagpapatupad ng kasunduang nalagdaan pero para tayong humihila ng bayawak sa lungga sa patuloy nilang pagtanggi.  Matagal nang umasa ang mga manggagawa na maipatutupad ito pero sa hindi natin malamang kadahilanan ay bakit ito patuloy na ipinagkakait?

Ang mga pagtanggi ng management ay mga paglabag sa CBA at ito ay hindi simpleng paglabag kungdi maramihan o gross CBA violations at kung ganun ito ay isang kaso ng paglabag sa Labor Code o Unfair Labor Practice.  

Ang interbensyon ng NCMB DOLE sa pamamagitan ng Preventive Mediation

Wala nang aasahan ang unyon na maresolba ang sigalot na ito sa loob ng ospital. Ang pasya ng unyon na idulog ito sa kaukulang ahensya ng pamahalaan ang tanging nakikitang paraan upang seryosohin ng management ang kanilang obligasyong ipatupad ang kasunduang nilagdaan at ating pinagtibay. Ang irehistro ang pagtutol natin sa mga pagbale-wala sa karapatan natin bilang manggagawa at bilang unyon na kumakatawan dito. 

Ang preventive mediation ay sa layuning pakialaman na ng gobyerno ang sigalot na ito at huwag na itong tuluyang sumabog sa isang mas malalang problema. Ito rin ang ating hangarin, ito rin ang ating dalangin at dapat nating panghawakan ang mga kahilingang ito sa pagtupad ng management sa kung ano ang mga napagkasunduan. 

Ang ating panawagan sa mga kasaping manggagawa 

Wala tayong nilalabag na batas para tayo ay patuloy na pagkaitan. Hindi kapritso ang kahilingang ipatupad kung ano ang nasasaad sa kasunduan o CBA. Mga mahalagang probisyong ito para sa kakaramput nating kabuhayan at pagkilala sa pagiging kabahagi o magkatuwang lalo ngayong panahon ng matinding krisis dulot ng pandemya. 

Hindi tayo naghahanap ng kaguluhan sa loob ng ating pinagtatrabahoan ngunit ang landas tungo sa kapayapaan ay kailangan nating sama-samang tuklasin. Ang pagkatok sa puso at isipan ng pamunuan ng ospital ay sa pamamagitan ng patuloy nating pagkakaisa at ang pagkakaisa natin ay sa batayan ng kawastuhan ng mga isyung ating isinusulong. 

Maging mapagmatyag tayo sa mga kaganapang ito ngayong ang isyu o ang kasong ito ay nasa lamesa na ng NCMB DOLE. Maghanda tayo sa pagtugon sa mga posibleng pagkilos na ating isasagawa upang ipakita ang ating pagkakaisa at suporta sa ating mga kahilingan at umasang anumang banta laban sa ating mga karapatan ay ating magagapi kung tayo ay sama-sama at kikilos bilang unyon at bilang manggagawa.   

No to Gross CBA Violations! 

No to Unfair Labor Practice! 

MABUHAY ANG SLMC(GC)EU INDEPENDENT! 

MABUHAY ANG MGA MANGGAGAWA NG SLMC GLOBAL! 

MABUHAY ANG URING MANGGAGAWA!  

ST. LUKE’S MEDICAL CENTER (GC) EMPLOYEES UNION INDEPENDENT 

October 23, 2020