PRESS RELEASE
May 6, 2011
26 union officers and members of KTS faced demotion
Davao City- Twenty six workers of Superstar Coconut Products Inc. who are all officers and members of the union, Kahugpungan ng mga Trabahante sa Superstar (KTS) were demoted by the company management from their work in the face of an impending strike. Such move of the management versus the workers, according to its union Secretary, Marven Morales, was a clear form of union busting and a form of constructive dismissal.
The said workers belong to Manres and Winworks agencies under the company were reinstalled from being shellers and parers to being sweepers yesterday. Demoted workers include the KTS union President Sabiniano Dagaang, Vice President Anthony Palma, Treasurer Ronie Bangalao, Auditor Lina Abellana and KTS board members Cesario Aparri, Ireneo Camporidondo and Wenefriedo Cabato. The rest of the 26 demoted workers were active members of the KTS union.
“We all know that this is part of the dirty tactics that the management do against the union.This is a clear move of the management to intimidate the workers. The right to form a union is a constitutionally guaranteed right. We warn the management against further attempts to trample upon the rights of the workers. This threat will not hinder us to go on with our strike,” said Marven Morales, Secretary of the KTS.
Earlier,the City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte said over a TV interview that the city is willing to provide lawyers for the workers.
KTS pointed to Mayor Duterte that, “What we need is a city government who can help resolve labor disputes and a city that will be friendly for workers.”
“Simple lang kaayo sa management nga muikyas sa iyang responsibilidad sa amo nga kuno wala sila’y tulubagon namo kay kuno wala kami “employer-employee relationship, nga kuno kami under sa mga agencies. Diba klarong pagyagayaga ni sa amoa, asa man ang gubyerno nganagpakaron-ingnong tagpanalipod sa among katungod,” said Morales.
“ Karon gipangdemote among 26 ka mga kaubanan ug opisyales sa union, unsa pud ang ikasulti sa lokal nga gubyerno? kapila ka beses nga wala mi gitagad sa management bisan sa mga hearings sa SP Committee on Labor.” Morales said.
“Dapat maalarma ang city government sa kahimtang sa mga mamumuo sa davao kundiin kaylap ang union busting, ubos ang suhulan ug walay benepisyo, walay klarong regularisasyon sa trabaho ug daghan ang kaso sa unfair labor practices. Naa dapat himuong mahukmanong lakang ang gubyerno ani sa Davao.”
The union said it will push through with their strike anytime soon.#
