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Sunday, February 23, 2003
PNP monitors La Tondena strikers
By Fred P. Macaraeg
THE Police have embarked on a rigid monitoring of the strikers at the La Tondeņa Distillery Inc. (LTDI) in Sta. Barbara town after noting suspicious faces at the picket line.
High police authorities expressed perception members of the communist New People's Army (NPA) have joined the strikers and might create untoward incidents.
The monitoring groups from various police units have been placed under one command through the leadership of Chief Insp. Ricardo Revita, head of the 107th police mobile group.
The municipal police under Chief Insp. Leopoldo Rivera and the PMG under Insp. Raymundo Bautista were put under the command of Revita when the LTDI management confirmed that some of those in the picket line are not the striking employees of the firm.
Earlier, however, the Nagkakaisang Manggagawa ng La Tondeņa Distillers Inc. (NMLTDI), an independent union led by Dante Mariņas accused the police of having a connivance with the LTDI management.
Marinas said they thought the police are the protectors of human rights but they are in collaboration with the management by dispersing their picket line.
"While the management is harassing the employees in papers, the police are harassing the strikers by dispersing us and letting trucks and buses enter the compound," he said.
In an media advisory furnished the Sun.Star, the NMLTDI cited that in February 4, the police struck with truncheons John Perez and Armando Zaplan without any reason, and a van ran over Rolly while picketing at Gate 2. Mariņas also was poked with gun.
But the police said the strikers had been stoning the vehicles that were entering the LTDI compound.
Citing the rules of engagement in a company strike, the NMLTDI said the police should be 50 meters from the picket line.
"But since February 5, the police started to establish a camp right inside the picket line and Major Rivera and Capt. Bautista are free from going in and out of the plant," the group said in a media advisory furnished to Sun.Star.
The NMLTDI disclosed their group won in a certification election in September 25 last year but instead of recognizing it by the management, the LTDI officials made an instant collective bargaining agreement (CBA) in connivance with CIO and ALO.
The members said the NMLTDI garnered 81 votes as against the vote of the other unions of only 26.
Confirming this, the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan)-Pangasinan chapter said instead of the LDTI bringing the issue on the negotiating table, the workers on strike are facing grave harassment on the picket line.
(February 23, 2003 issue)
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