CLARK FREEPORT -- The Philippine Trade and General Workers Organization, a federation of national labor unions in the country, has recently took over the Alliance of Yokohama Employees (AYE).
PTGWO also placed the union under trusteeship after its officers, led by Roel Padilla, allegedly "circulated malicious rumors" that the PTGWO connived with the Yokohama Tire Philippines Incorporated (YTPI) management in the last Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiations.
The acts of the AYE officers allegedly resulted to confusion among the rank and file employees inside Yokohama Tire Philippines, Inc, said Ener Tongol, who was appointed chairman of a steering committe formed by the PTGWO.
A resolution, signed by majority of the AYE members and released by the PTGWO executive board on November 28, 2019, placed AYE under trusteeship.
The resolution indicates that PTGWO withdraws the authority of AYE union officers to negotiate the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA ) with the company.
Under the board resolution, the PTGWO will direct and manage the union affairs until deemed necessary.
Tongol said Padilla deceived and instigated innocent employees to disaffiliate with PTGWO.
The steering committee chair also claimed that Padilla encourages members to conduct a strike during the cooling off period.
Padilla filed a Notice of Strike after a month of negotiations, according to Tongol.
Tongol said Padilla and his group are also demanding to the YTPI management P250 a day or P7,000 per month increase in employees' salaries.
The YTPI management stated that the proposal is too high and needs to be reevaluated, Tongol added.
The steering committee was tasked to act and decide on behalf of the PTGWO national president, including the management and control of labor union affairs.
Tongol said Padilla took advantage of the workers and dragged them to acts that may lead to breaking rules of the company.
“Ayokong malagay sa alanganin ang mga empleyado natin, kasi unang-una wala sila pa idea sa mga nangyayari at ‘yung iba napapasama nila (Padilla). Kumbaga, nalilinlang lang sila. Ang sa amin lamang ay sana lumbas ang totoo at mag giveway na siya dahil sila naman ang may pagkakamali” Tongol said.
“Itutuloy namin ang CBA negotiations ng matiwasay. Gagawin namin ang lahat ng aming makakaya para maibigay ang nararapat sa tao ng walang panggugulo.” Tongol added.
AYE is an affiliate local labor union of PTGWO since 2015 and is the Sole Executive Bargaining Agent (SOLE).
PTGWO, which is headed by Lawyer Arnel Z. Dolendo, remains to be a beacon of responsible trade unionism, according to Tongol.
The federation counts around a hundred affiliate labor unions in almost all industries. These include transport, maritime, food, beverage, steel, mining, manufacturing, petroleum, banking, educational institutions, garments, petrochemical, metal, plastic, paper, construction, agriculture, sports, entertainment, electricity, water utilities and other industries.
These unions are the certified bargaining agents of the employees they represent, Tongol said. (PR)