MMDA Streetsweepers fight for benefits, higher wages

“Is there a war here? Is there really a need for this kind of show? If you’re looking for trouble, you’re better off going to the mountains and look for the Abu Sayyaf,” he said on the microphone, addressing the riot team members.

Undaunted, the KKK members marched towards EDSA and formed a human chain in front of the building. They waved flags and held their placards aloft to allow passersby and commuters to read them.

“This is how the MMDA treats its poorest employees!” They said. Some commuter buses honked their horns and cars slowed down as their drivers read the placards.

Some MMDA officials and executive staff looking as fresh from their air conditioned rooms tried to intimidate the employees by questioning some of them and taking down their names. A KKK leader said the employees should not be afraid of the harassment tactics and stand firm.

“We are defending our rights and there will never be anything wrong, illegal or unjust about that. The MMDA is the one abusing our rights, exploiting us and treating us like the garbage and trash we take out of the streets and gutters,” said Virgilio Gundran.

Gundran told Bulatlat that he had worked at the MMDA as a streetsweeper for the last three decades.

“We are like slaves! We are not being treated with respect and by ignoring our demands for a CNA the MMDA administration is stripping us of our dignity. We will not take this any longer,” he said.

For almost an hour in the heat of the early afternoon, the KKK members stood man to man against members of the MMDA riot teams along EDSA. After some time, emissaries from the MMDA top floor sent word that they were willing to negotiate with the KKK leaders.

The KKK members remained standing along the busy avenue in a crooked but long line with their placards while their leaders went up to the MMDA building. Some took to talking to the riot team members who, in turned out,, had no idea at all what the employees were fighting for. Some of the men asked what “CNA” meant.

Hope in the union

Carlito Parcero is 48-years old and works as a maintenance employee at the MMDA. He earns roughly P2,700 (US$ 63) a month and has two children to support. His son is 14 while his daughter is 12 and both are in elementary school. He has not, however, seen his daughter in quite a while.

“She’s with my in-laws. I don’t have enough money to keep her with me and feed her much less send her to school,” he said sadly.

Parcero’s wife has mental and psychological problems, but she tries to help her husband add money to their family’s sorry finances.

“She sells cigarettes and candies when she’s feeling okay; on bad days, she stays home,” he said.

His low salary obviously makes it impossible for them to seek medical help. “We get by by some miracle; I also do odd jobs. I take out the garbage for other offices after my shift at the MMDA is done,” he said.

By taking out the trash and cleaning garbage cans for other offices in the immediate vicinity of the MMDA, he earns an additional P100 (US$2.32) every other night.

Parcero has placed his full faith in the KKK, in the unity and collective effort of his union. He said that anyone in his shoes would also do well join unions that defend their rights.

“It’s my involvement in the union that gives me self-respect. Alone I cannot improve my situation, but with the help of the KKK, maybe there’s hope. It’s better to try and fight than to just sit here miserable because of poverty,” he said.

Parcero willingly stood alongside with other members of the KKK as they defied the MMDA officials’ demands to back away from EDSA. He said that he really had nothing to lose but he barely had anything.

“I am poor, but I am willing to fight for means to improve my family’s welfare,” he said.

A temporary victory

By 4pm, the union leaders came down and called on their fellow unionists to return to the front lobby of the building. There Gonzalez announced that the administration has agreed to sign the CNA on August 8. The employees broke into loud cheers and shouts.

“This is a victory for our organization,” Gonzaga said, “but by no means are we letting our guard down. The administration has reneged on its word before and we don’t trust it. We will continue to be vigilant until the CNA is signed and approved, and we will remain so henceforward. No one else will fight for our rights but ourselves. This is not a situation where we can rely on the humanity or compassion of the authorities of the MMDA or the Aquino government it’s part of,” she said.

Araba said KKK will join the contingent of the Confederation for the Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (Courage) on July 25 as President Aquino delivers his second State of the Nation Address (Sona) in the House of Representatives. He said that the KKK is also campaigning for a P6,000 (US$140) salary increase for all government employees as well as a stiop to the privatization of the various government agencies delivering social services such as health and housing.

“We’re one with the rest of the Filipino working people in fighting for just wages, decent working conditions and job security. We demand immediate economic reforms as well as a stop to the Aquino government’s policies on the demolition of the homes of the urban poor. The employees of the MMDA belong to the poorest of the poor and we want the Aquino government to hear our anger and disgust at its failure to stop corruption and improve the welfare of the poor,” he said.