Lang-agan, who is a native of Guinaang village in Bontoc, Mt. Province, said that officers have gone as far as their hometowns to explain to their kakailyan (barriomates) the company’s intentions when it recruits new mineworkers in the middle of the strike.
“The response in Bontoc is positive. The kakailyan even committed to go to Lepanto if management remains stiff in its position,” he said.
Ban
On June 28, Nordis sources in Mankayan said that strike supporters have been banned from joining the workers in the picketlines.
“Management has no business preventing these individuals and organizations from supporting us,” Lang-agan said.
Meanwhile, also on June 28, workers picketing the Tubo gate prevented the entry of some 12 scabs aboard an L-300 van.
Some women leaders also reported seeing some scabs dressed in police uniforms headed toward the Buaki mine portal, which is a ploy to discourage the workers form confronting them, they said.
Tulipa said the workers have now doubled their efforts in manning the entry of people and vehicles at the picketed gates.
Counter arguments
At Lepanto’s general office, the strikers confronted the management on standing issues.
Lepanto counsel Weldy Manlong came out to face the workers and explained that given the company’s dire financial straits, it could not grant LEU’s wage proposal, which is P29 for the first and second years and P33 for the third year. But he said that if the workers would return to work, the wage increase proposed by the labor department, which is P25-P27-P29, would be implemented.
Manlong also said that the company is just complying with the DoLE order. He said the recruitment process is an option DoLE has granted them given the situation where production is paralyzed.
He added that Lepanto would have to close down in two years if it gives in to the union’s demands. In an earlier interview, LEU Auditor and spokesperson Ronald Maslian said that such scenario is impossible since the company has already applied for expansion and have opened doors for investors.
“The difference between the DoLE order and Lepanto proposal is a mere P10 in the housing allowance. We cannot afford to lower our P29-P29-P33 proposal since it is the lowest adjustment we can afford. Company’s proposal is very meager compared to the billions they have raked in through our sweat,” Maslian said.
During the first bout of negotiations in February 2005, LEU proposed for P100-P100-P100, which Lepanto counter-proposed with P0-P10-P11. LEU officers reiterated other issues, which include Lepanto’s non-remittance of Social Security Service (SSS) and loan deductions and human rights violations by PNP elements and company security during picketline dispersals.
Lang-agan further criticized Lepanto for using the children to discourage the workers from pursuing the strike. He said Lepanto representatives went to the schools and told the children that they would go hungry and would not be able to finish school if their fathers go on with the strike.
“If Lepanto really means well for our children, they would yield to our demands,” he said.
Maslian further condemned DoLE for favoring Lepanto, adding that DoLE should guide the workers for the advancement of their rights and welfare.
In a position paper after the multipartite talks at the Benguet Provincial Capitol last week, the union reiterated its proposal that pending negotiations on wages and other benefits, the company shall reconsider, recall or withdraw the Notice of Termination issued to some 75 workers, including criminal cases filed against union officers; that until the issues are resolved, workers who choose not to report shall not be dismissed; and that the company shall not employ retaliatory moves against the union. Northern Dispatch / Posted by Bulatlat
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