MEMBERS of the newly-organized Angel’s Burger Crew Workers Union (ABCWU) on Friday announced that they have won the battle against their previous employer which reportedly laid them off without prior notice.
ABCWU president Riches Mahilum, in a press conference at the Negros Press Club in Bacolod City on Friday, said after more than a week of struggle, they finally received the “just benefits” they have demanded.
Mahilum is referring to the recent incident where more than 100 crews have lost their job after 34 branches of Angel’s Burger, under the management of MDLM Food Inc., in Negros Occidental were suddenly shut down.
“We have successfully won the fight for our labor rights,” she said, adding that “this proves that through unity, we can really win even as small workers.”
It can be recalled that the workers staged a picket in front of their company’s office at Barangay 31 in Bacolod City last week.
This after the management allegedly informed them through text messages of the sudden closure of its branches on September 24.
Three days after they hold the picket, the union said the company called for a dialogue. However, it offered an “unjust settlement” to the workers so the latter resumed the picket on Monday, October 1.
Through the intervention of the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) in Negros Occidental, the management has given higher separation pay to the workers on Wednesday, October 3.
“Though the amount is somehow below the labor standards, our demand for higher separation pay was met,” Mahilum said.
Aside from paying the workers of their benefits, the company was also told to explain the reason for their closure. “With that, we were not left hanging,” she added.
Also, the union recognized the support of Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino and Kilusang Mayo Uno in pushing for the rights of its member-workers.