Mediation board to settle power firm's labor woes

Sunstar Cebu

CEBU CITY -- The National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) in Central Visayas scheduled a mediation conference on November 3 to settle the labor dispute between the Visayan Electric Company (Veco) and the Veco Employees Union to prevent power outages.

Apparently, if the strike pushes through, the union will see to it that Veco’s entire operation is paralyzed.

“I ask all power consumers to bear with us because we will cut off power supply everywhere within the Veco franchise area, once the strike starts,” said Casmiro Mahilum, union president.

The strike will have the backing of the Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP), its mother union.

NCMB-Central Visayas Director Edmundo Mirasol Jr. said they are trying their best to prevent one.

“We plan to conduct a marathon negotiation with both union and management to effect immediate solution of the case,” Mirasol said.

‘Unlawful’ dismissal

According to the statement signed by Josefina Cabatingan Lim, ALU director on education and information, the notice of strike was filed on the grounds that management committed unfair labor practice with the “unlawful” dismissal of Mahilum that stemmed from a labor day activity last year.

Although it was a collective union activity, Lim said, Mahilum was singled out.

“ALU-TUCP expressed disgust over management’s decision to terminate the (service) of the local president (Mahilum) and is expressing full support of whatever the general membership will decide related to this act from management of disrespecting trade union rights,” read Lim’s statement.

Aside from Mahilum’s dismissal, the union said disciplinary cases against its members are part of union-busting.

Confirmation

When sought for comment, Ethel Natera, Veco corporate communications manager, confirmed Mahilum was fired Thursday.

Natera said the notice to strike came after.

“It is unfortunate the union leadership has chosen to endanger the livelihood of its members, who is sworn to protect and has completely disregarded its responsibility to public service as employees of a public utility all in the name of questioning management prerogative,” said Natera.

Natera said Veco assures the public that in the event of a strike, service to all areas of their franchise will continue uninterrupted.

“Customer requests, applications and payments, as well as complaints, will be acted on in a manner that the Veco customer requires and deserves. Once more, Veco service will continue as before and in no way will you, the customer, suffer for these unfortunate actions,” she said. (EOB of Sun.Star Cebu)

Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on October 29, 2010.