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Monday, August 15, 2005
Mining firm refuses to rehire 19 workers
By Jane Cadalig
THE multi-sectoral group (MSG) tasked to end the labor dispute at the Lepanto Mining Company failed to stop the ongoing impasse between the management and its workers.
This developed after the management refused to succumb to the body's proposals, which is, among others, the reinstatement of the 19 union officials who spearheaded the strike that started June 2 and were subsequently dismissed.
The MSG, composed of 46 sectoral representatives of Mankayan, was formed to come up with recommendations to help end the labor problem, which is claimed to have crippled Lepanto's underground operations for more than two months now.
But the management said: "It cannot accede to the recommendations made by the body because the 19 union officers were the same (individuals) who went on illegal strike in 2003 and are clearly guilty of planning, leading and participating in an illegal strike today."
Instead, Lepanto advised the 19 union officials to file illegal dismissal case before the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC).
"The former union officers should be men enough to face the consequences of leading an illegal strike. They should make the sacrifice and advise their members, who were not issued notices of dismissal to report to work for the sake of their families," the Lepanto management said in a statement.
It said the other dismissed employees may be reconsidered for reinstatement based on their records and through legal process at the NLRC.
Other proposals made by the MSG were for the picketing miners to submit a letter of apology to the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) and the company for their misgivings, and to convince their colleagues to go back to work, and for management not to take any retaliatory actions against the returning workers.
The striking employees, meanwhile, are yet to come up with a stand on the MSG suggestions, although they already manifested in previous statements they would remain at the picket line pending the reinstatement of their officials.
(August 15, 2005 issue)
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