Wednesday, April 27, 2005
San Agustin snubs union's demand
By Jay Dooma Balnig
* The union members themselves are demanding for the reinstatement of their officers as negotiations for the Collective Bargaining Agreement are ongoing
* But USA legal counsel, Atty. Sabino Padilla III, says the University could not make any move now
THE University of San Agustin (USA) administration continues to ignore the demand of the USA Employees Union (USAEU) to reinstate their 22 terminated colleagues.
The group, led by union president Theodore Neil Lasola, has been holding a picket at the school's main entrance along Gen. Luna St. since April 24 to dramatize their demands and to signify an indefinite strike for "union busting."
Terminated along with Lasola are Flaviano Manalo, Rene Cabalum, Ma. Luz Calzado, Ray Anthony Zuņiga, Rizalene Villanueva, Rudante Dolar, Merlyn Jara, Monaliza Bautista, Ma. Connie Alger, Maximo Montero, Apolbin de Asis, Rover John Tavarro, Alfredo Goriona, Julius Mario, John Mirasol, Mermenegildo Calzado, Danilo Lee Pac Hee, Nelza Laurea, and Rena Lete.
The union members themselves are demanding for the reinstatement of their officers, as negotiations for the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the union and the administration are ongoing.
But USA legal counsel, Sabino Padilla III, said in a telephone interview the University could not make any move now.
They have no choice but to wait for the result of their legal battle, he said.
Moreover, Padilla cited Court of Appeals ruling, declaring the union's strike in 2003 as illegal.
Following the CA's decision in March, the university issued a termination order to the 22 union officers effective April 5.
After the union conducted a strike vote, the University asked the National Conciliation and Mediation Board to dismiss the notice of strike filed by the union last April 7.
In its motion to dismiss notice of strike, the USA administration states, "Except to dismiss the notice, the NCMB has no jurisdiction to entertain and act on the notice of strike."
The University also asked the NCMB to "admonish the terminated union officers, who are now instigating a strike and who already have nothing to lose, to think of the rest of the union members whom they are bringing to a second illegal strike."
(April 27, 2005 issue)
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