THE Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) and Maragusan United Workers Union (Muwu) staged Friday a rally at the Dole-Stanfilco office at Belisario Heights in Bajada, Davao City demanding a halt to union busting.
Around 20 banana plantation workers belonging to militant KMU and Muwu criticized Dole-Stanfilco, one of the world's largest producers and marketers of high-quality fresh fruits, fresh vegetables and packaged foods, for the termination of 226 regular workers and re-hiring them as contractual employees through employment agencies.
Out of the 344 regular employees, the company is left with only 134 regular workers, who are also offered the separation scheme similar to the retrenched 226 workers.
The groups said the management also ordered them to sever ties with KMU otherwise will be terminated.
The workers union, which filed a notice of strike before the National Council and Mediation Board (NCMB), recently met with Dole-Stanfilco management on Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) on July 13. Another meeting is slated July 30. (Richard B. Batulan)