The union officer was not named by the Alliance of Yokohama Employees (AYE) for fear of reprisal but stressed that the worker was just vocal about the union activities petitioning the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for their group to be certified as bargaining agent of YTPI.
The suspended employee is reported to be also aiming for a position in the Labor Management Committee (LMC), a meeting of union members and managers to discover, discuss, and resolve issues or problems that are not typically covered by a collective bargaining agreement or contract. The LMC election for YTPI is scheduled on Oct. 7, 8 and 9.
In an email sent by “Clark Kent” on Monday, the AYE is seeking the help of the media in giving them an opportunity to air their side.
“We seek your help and understanding. We want to be a partner not an enemy of our company. We join a moderate labor union to help us in pursuing our mission to be unionized as the certified bargaining unit of YTPI,” the AYE said in a statement.
The AYE said no formal complaint was filed against the suspended union official, who was placed under preventive suspension for 30 days without pay, which is a violation of the company’s code of conduct.
The AYE alleged that Angelina Casasola, YTPI vice president for business operations, is threatening the employees that the tire company will be forced to stop operations once the union is established.
Yokohama workers recently organized and filed petition for the right to create labor unions for the rank and file and supervisory personnel.
The two unions -the Alliance of Yokohama Supervisory Personnel and Alliance of Yokohama Employees – are hoping that their petition will be approved by the DOLE for Yokohama workers to have the right to the certified bargaining agent with YTPI management.
But instead of getting the support of the management, many of the leaders of the two unions are being harassed and suspended, the AYE said, adding that the organization of a labor union of the workers is enshrined in the Philippine Constitution of 1987.
According to the AYE, the unions have affiliated with the Philippine Trade and General Workers Organization (PTGWO) which is presently the biggest labor federation in the country.
The PTGWO was originally known as the Philippine Transport Workers Organization (PTWO). It was established in 1953, just after the passage of the Industrial Peace Act (Republic Act 875) or the Magna Carta for Labor.
The founding president was Bro. Roberto S. Oca Sr. – a labor leader who rose from the ranks in the Port of Manila.
At present, PTGWO has more than 100 labor groups and currently representing the interest of the workers in the transport industry, including the seafarers, workers from the food, beverages, electronics, textile, wood, paper, metal, plastic, services and manufacturing.
PTGWO National President Atty. Arnel Dolendo assured Yokohama management that a reasonable and responsible labor federation would guide the workers.
But Dolendo requested YTPI to respect the rights of the workers to form a union without interference and free from harassment to avoid violation of workers’ right which will constitute unfair labor practice.
Dolendo said the PTGWO is a moderate labor group as the intention of the federation is to continue watching over the fate of the working class in the formal economy.
Calls to the YTPI for their side were unreturned as of presstime.
