In a statement, LEU said that the management always claims that it is not earning, that is why it could not afford to accept the union’s proposal.
“Kinaagpayso na, gapu iti kinagaget tayo, nginmato iti 24% ti gross revenue ti kompanya. Nu kitaen tayo, nakaganansya daytoy ti P2.4 billion idi 2003, ken P2.7 billion retained earnings idi 2004 (The truth is that due to our diligence, LCMCo’s gross revenue increased by 24 percent. Its 2003 profit reached 2.4 billion, while its retained earnings for 2004 amounted to P2.7 billion),” the LEU said in their statement.
Villaluna said that the company is still paying its loans, such as the fund needed to operate Victoria Gold, which amounts to some $30 million.
LEU Auditor Ronald Maslian said that the company has processed expansion applications in Benguet (Mankayan, Kabayan, Suyo, Atok, Kapangan) and Nueva Vizcaya (Kayapa, Bambang) since January 2005.
“Dayta itamtambakda para expansion ket ling-et ti mangmangged. Kitaen da kuma umuna ti sitwasyon ditoy sakbay dagita, ta maawatan mi met ti businessman (Lepanto’s expansion is only made possible because of the workers’ efforts and sacrifices. We hope that the company sees to the workers’ plight first before venturing into business),” he said.
Administrative Services Manager Atty. Weldy Manlong said that the LCMCo is willing to increase the wages as long as the company can afford it.
As regards benefits, the LEU demands an increase of the monthly housing allowance from P200 ($3.67) to P320 ($5.87) for workers who cannot be accommodated in the company’s bunkhouses.
The house rental off-camp ranges from P500 ($9.18) to P800 ($14.68) monthly. The union also asks that rest leave be granted to surface or above-ground workers. Lastly, LEU is pushing for “strict computation” of the separation pay, such that 35 days per year of service be multiplied by the rate per day. Standing separation pay computations qualifies that 30 days per year of service be computed for those who have worked with LCMCo for 15 years and below, and 35 days for those who worked for 15 years or more.
As of June 3, LCMCo proposes a daily wage hike of P21 ($0.38), P27 ($0.50) and P29 ($0.53) for the first, second and third year of the CBA’s effectivity. It also proposes 12 years of service for a worker to qualify for separation pay, no housing allowance and selective rest leave. The union did not accept the offer.
In a related development, the company banned the entry of rice into the picket line which nearby communities pooled in support of the strike.
“Inggana agballigi”
While briefing fellow workers at the Tubo gate on June 2, Lang-agan stressed the need to maintain unity until all demands are met. He also commended the women and children of Lepanto for their support.
“Inrugi dagiti babbaket ken ubbing ti laban. Inrugi tayo metten, isunga aramiden tayo ken itultuloy daytoy ta adda ti basaran daytoy wages. No saan tayo a maala daytoy itatta, datayonto ti marigatan (Women and children have started the fight. And since we have started it, let us sustain it because we have enough basis to ask for increases. If we fail now, we will suffer later.),” he said.
In a statement, LEU said that the CBA is the union’s lifeline, where a worker’s benefits, wages, and working conditions are ensured. “Daytoy ti esensya ti pannaka-adda ti unyon tayo, ti panagpursige ti pagsay-atan dagiti mangmangged (This is the essence of unionism, to ensure the welfare of its members).”
During the Lepanto women’s march-rally on May 31, the company distributed notices warning the workers of retrenchment if they joined the strike. The workers, however, signed a unity statement, affirming their support until all their proposals are accepted. Northern Dispatch / Bulatlat
