TV network workers file strike notice

LABOR unions of government-owned television station RPN 9 filed a notice of strike (NOS) at the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) early this week.

The 200 members of RPN Employees Rank-and-File Union (RPNEU), and RPN Directors & Supervisors Union (RPN DSU) filed the strike notice, citing the impending closure of the television station, unfair labor practices, constructive dismissal, and unpaid Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) benefits.

The group also appealed to President Benigno Aquino III to intervene not only on the impending privatization of RPN 9, but also with the network's management.

"The employees want to be assured that they will benefit from the privatization, particularly with the payment of their retirement pay in accordance with the existing (CBA)," the group said.

The total amount of the current employees' (union members only) retirement pay and unpaid benefits is more than P800 million.

Employees are protesting the fast pace of RPN 9's privatization that has been done without consulting any of the unions and its employees.

"The unions and employees see RPN 9 being privatized but the employees will be left out in the cold, leaving them no retirement benefits and worse being jobless," the workers said in a statement.

Both groups are for the privatization of the television station as they believe this will end all their long suffering, especially those who are already retired but have not yet received their retirement pay.

The group has criticized the changes being undertaken by the management, including the takeover of Solar Entertainment in the RPN News Department, automatically leaving more than 70 RPN news talents jobless, and more than 50 regular employees on a floating employment status.

"RPN Management did this in bad faith by not giving any verbal or written information to the employees and talents concerned," the statement said. (FP/Sunnex)