Wednesday, August 20, 2008 Dole settles rift between Ilaw, ALU
ASSOCIATED Labor Union (ALU) and Independent Labor Association of Workers (Ilaw) representatives were called before the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) 7 for a conference to identify if there were indeed problems with representation.
However, after the conference, Ilaw claimed that it would be impossible for Dole 7 to identify which labor union was preferred by the Gaisano employees.
“Dole cannot decide, which is the official union, it is the employees who are the ones who can decide,” said Dave Duallo, legal counsel of Ilaw.
Employees
He said that Ilaw will remain to be the official union of the Gaisano employees, after getting the “majority” of the employees.
“It is only the employees who can decide which is the real union. In the past election, we were the ones who won. They (ALU) should therefore respect our term, which is
until March 2009. But, if they want to challenge us, we welcome them,” said Duallo.
Based on the collective bargaining agreement (CBA), Ilaw agreed not to affiliate with any organization within its five years of term as the official labor union.
Challenge
“We have to see to it that the provision of the CBA will be followed. We won’t bother about the conflict between Taipan and ALU. As far as Ilaw is concerned, if the provisions of the CBA are followed, the benefits are followed, we hold no grievances against the management.
We maintain a harmonious and cordial relationship with the management,” said Duallo.
However, while Ilaw announced that they were in no way affiliated with ALU, Ferdinand Jumapao, director for its membership and recruitment services department, had a different story to tell.
Affiliation
“Ilaw may deny that they are not affiliated to us. But, the Ilaw independent union is directly affiliated to ALU,” said Jumapao.
Jumapao added that the CBA of Ilaw was flawed.
“Their CBA is defective. They say they don’t affiliate, but there is a law for independent unions to affiliate. They are contradicting their own CBA,” said Jumapao.
Determine
Dole 7 Director Elias Cayanong said their office would try to determine if there were indeed problems of representation between the two groups and how big the representation problem was.
However, he said that so far, there were no misrepresentation problems.
“There are just claims from both parties, but it is not a misrepresentation.
They are both armed with documents,” said Cayanong.
Meanwhile, as some Ilaw members have reportedly joined the strike, Duallo said that they would take measures in addressing the “disloyalty” of these members.
“Through the CBA, we have the right to recommend to the management to have these employees terminated for being disloyal to Ilaw and for ceasing to be members with good standing,” said Duallo. (EPB)
