This story
was taken from Bulatlat, the Philippines's alternative weekly
newsmagazine (www.bulatlat.com, www.bulatlat.net, www.bulatlat.org).
Vol. V, No. 19, June 19-25, 2005
LABOR WATCH
A Day in the Lepanto Picketlines
By Northern Dispatch MANKAYAN. Benguet (June 14)
- It is the 14th day of the Lepanto Employees Union (LEU) strike and word
spreads that the dispersal team is just a few minutes away. The soldiers are in
full battle gear, some strikers say. The mine workers, however,
though anticipating the inevitable dispersal, do not seem bothered. At Tubo
Gate, where the main picket is, the workers assigned to man the 11 a.m. - 11
p.m. shift are in high spirits as if there is no threat of a violent dispersal.
An authentic Cordillera gong melody echoes all over the place coupled with
cheers and laughter as miners’ wives dance to the beat. Aside from playing chess,
playing the gong and dancing keep the strikers in high morale. Solidarity
messages from individuals and groups visiting the picket lines further encourage
the strikers to pursue their fight for higher wages and benefits. Maintaining a picketline is
no joke but with the workers’ determination, cooperation and overflowing support
from other sectors, the five picket areas of LEU remain strong and alive.
To ensure an organized
picket, LEU assigned an officer as picket commander for every picketline. The
picket commanders ensure the order in the area. Aside from this, they ensure
that food and other supplies are available. They also coordinate with other
picket areas for support and help if needed. Other workers in the
picketlines have their tasks, too. They take turns to cook, gather fuel, fetch
water and solicit food. Food, medicine and other
supplies come from donations and solicitations. They distribute all supplies to
the picket areas according to needs. 20 years Camelio Tuacan, a board
member of LEU, is the picket commander of the first shift at the Tubo picket.
Manong Camelio, 45, married, with five children has spent 20 years of his life
serving the Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company but continues to earn meager
pay, which, he said, is not enough to provide for his family. With P350 a day, working 26
days a month (excluding rest days), his monthly income is P9,100. The sadder
part is that he does not take home this amount because of monthly deductions and
loan payments. According to National
Economic Development Authority’s (NEDA) computations, a family of six needs at
least P573 to survive. Manong Camelio, who has a family of seven, actually earns
just half of the amount. Two of Manong Camelio’s
children are in college. The yearly increase in tuition, and the relentless
price hikes in basic commodities reduced his salary to its lowest terms. This is
why he joined the strike. Just like most of his co-miners, all he wants is
higher wages in order to give his family a better life. “Daytoy (strike) ti
maudi a baraha mi tapno maala mi ti dawdawaten a nayon a sweldo ken dadduma a
benepisyo, haan kami a sumanud inggana ited ti kompanya ti dawdawaten mi”
(The strike is our last option to gain our demands for higher wages and
benefits. We will not lift the strike until the management gives in to our
demands), he said. He added that the workers are only asking what is due them. Manong Camelio also
disclosed that his family’s support strengthens him. His wife also shares tasks
at the Tubo picketline. Even his children understand the situation. “Maawatan da met ken
sumupsuportar da. Ni baket ko ket makibantay ditoy piket, no mamingsan agluto ti
kanen dagiti adda ditoy” (My family understands and supports the strike. In
fact my wife also comes to the picket area and sometimes cook for us), he said.
Kim Quitasol for Nordis / Posted by Bulatlat © 2004 Bulatlat
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