Karapatan ng Manggagawa by Fr. Anton CT Pascual published May 28, 2013

Karapatan ng Manggagawa by Fr. Anton CT Pascual published May 28, 2013

Ang manggagawa ang lakas ng isang kumpanya at siya din ang lakas ng buong bansa! Ang manggagawa ang tunay na yaman ng isang bansa.Ngunit sa nagaganap ngayon na mahigit sa isang buwan nang hunger strike ng halos isang daang miyembro ng Digitel Employees Union laban sa management ng PLDT-Digitel, nasaan ang pag-respeto sa kapakanan at interes ng mga manggagawa?

 Bago pa man nagsama ang PLDT at Digitel bilang isang kumpanyan, matagal nang may hinaing ang mga empleyado ng Digitel. Noon pa man ay nais na ng mga miyembro ng Digitel Employees Union o DEU na magkaroon ng collective bargaining agreement o CBA sa pamunuan ng Digitel. Ngunit kahit inatasan na ng Secretary of Labor and Employment at maging ng Korte Suprema ang Digitel upang magkaroon ng tunay na dayalogo at pagbubuo ng CBA sa DEU, sa matagal na panahon ay nagbingi-bingihan ang mga pamunuan ng Digitel.

At ngayong bubuwagin na ng PLDT ang Digitel, nananatili pa ring ilusyon ang mga hinaing ng mga empleyado ng Digitel. Ang mga miyembro ng Digitel Employees Union ang unang tatamaan sa pagbuwag ng Digitel at tila walang balak ang PLDT na irespeto ang kanilang karapatan sa security of tenure. Ito ang dahilan kung bakit ang DEU ay patuloy ngayon sa kanilang hunger strike.

Ang pagsasagawa ng strike ay kinikila ng panlipunang turo ng ating simabahan. Ayon dito, ang karapatan ng mga manggagawa na maglunsad ng strike ay dapat kilalanin kapag hindi na ito maiiwasan. Ang karapatan ng mga manggagawa sa pag-strike ay nakabatay din sa kalikasan ng tao at ng higit sa karaniwan nitong dignidad. Ang mga sumusunod ay ilan lang sa mga karapatang itinala ng Social Magisterium ng simbahan: karapatan sa makatarungang pasahod; ang karapatang makapagpahinga; ang karapatan sa malusog at ligtas na proseso at lugar paggawa; karapatang mapangalagaan ang sariling personalidad; karapatan sa mga nararapat na subsidya; karapatan sa pension at insurance; karapatan sa social security na may kinalaman sa pagbubuntis; at ang karapatang magbuo at magtayo ng mga asosasyon.

Partikular din na kinikilala ng Magisterium ang pundamental na papel na ginagampanan ng mga unyon ng manggagawa para sa pagtatanggol sa mga mahahalagang interes ng mga manggagawang nasa ibabang propesyon. Ang mga unyon ay sumisibol mula sa pakikibaka ng mga manggagawa. Ang mga ganitong organisasyon, hangga’t nagsusulong ng mga adhikain para sa kabutihan ng lahat, ay isang positibong impluwensiya para sa panlipunang kaayusan at kaisahan, at kung gayo’y kailangang-kailangang elemento ng panlipunang buhay.

Dalangin natin na magkaroon na sana ng payapa, maaayos at makabuluhang pag-uusap ang magkabilang panig sa nagaganap ngayon na problema sa PLDT-Digitel. Dalangin din natin na panigan sana ng pamahalaan ang interes at kapakanan ng mga manggagagawa, lalo na ang mga mahihirap at kapos sa buhay. Magkaroon din sana ng puso ang pamunuan ng PLDT para sa interes at kapakanan ng mga manggagawa ng Digitel.

PLDT opens door, DEU still vigilant / Reclaim Workers’ Dignity: Justice to DEU Workers

            A tripartite dialogue between the PLDT Management, DOLE and Digitel Employees Union (DEU) took place at the office of the DOLE Secretary yesterday, May 27. The labor dispute between the management and the affected workers has reached preliminary settlement purposes.

            The remaining 88 employees based on the list submitted by the DEU will be subject to PLDT’s medical and interview screening for employment purposes. A coordination committee will be created to oversee the smooth and organized implementation of the activity.

As a sign of trust and confidence to the intention of PLDT management, the Union will do a limited lifting of the picket by removing all placards, signage and streamers.

PLDT estimates that the process of screening will take about three (3) weeks, thereafter,  a conciliation proceeding under the auspices of CMO-OSEC will be temporarily suspended until the next meeting on June 28, 2013 at 10:00 AM.

It’s been 49 days now, since the Digitel employees started a picket in front of the PLDT main office at Ayala, Makati last April 10, 2013, because they were illegally terminated from their regular jobs. Armed with the Supreme Court decision, G.R.No. 184903-04 issued with finality last January 21, 2013 and the Department of Labor and Employment order, the Writ of Execution issued last March 19, 2013, these Digitel employees are looking for justice, urging PLDT/DIGITEL management to respect the law.

The preliminary settlement between PLDT and DEU would be a big relief to their struggle; it came at a time where children of the affected employees are waiting and unsure if they would be back to school this June. DEU President Alan Licardo said,” We want to ensure that our kids will have a good future, but we will only be able to do that if we will have our jobs back.”

The make-shift protest center at PLDT Makati still stands, the DEU workers are still vigilant on the initial settlement offered by the management. They are expecting a speedy resolution to their cause; they are hopeful that PLDT management under the leadership of Manny Pangilinan, PLDT Chairman, and Butch Jimenez, PLDT Human Resources SVP, will abide by the Supreme Court decision and the DOLE order.##

FOR REFERENCE:

Alan Licardo – President – 09225375689
Fritz Alzuelo – Vice President – 09225342986

Blogsite:  digitelemployeesunion.wordpress.com/
Email:  digitel.employees.union@gmail.com
Twitter:  @DEUbraves   or    twitter.com/DEUbraves
Youtube:  www.youtube.com/DEUBraves
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/digitelemployesunion/
Petition Site:  http://www.thepetitionsite.com/405/755/620/digitel-employees-union-fights-for-its-labor-rights/

Reclaim Workers Dignity: Justice to DEU Workers; Kids of Digitel Employees Appeal to DOLE, PLDT

Manila – Another round of tripartite dialogue between the PLDT/DIGITEL Management, DOLE and representatives from Digitel Employees Union (DEU) will take place at the office of the DOLE Secretary today, May 27, 2013. This time, because of the uncertain fate of their fathers and mothers and the looming opening of classes by June 3, children of affected Digitel Workers have now trooped to DOLE to appeal for speedy and amenable resolution to their parents’ plight.

“It’s the opening of the classes a week from now, and as parents we want our kids inside of their schools by that time, but until now our situation does not allow us to provide our kids’ needs.” explained Fritz Alzuelo, DEU Vice President.

“We want to ensure that our kids will have a good future, but we will only be able to do that if we will have our jobs back.” added Alan Licardo, DEU President.

Until now, the DEU members are still on their picket line and hunger strike in front of the PLDT Main office in Makati. Last May 21, the dialogue between the PLDT/Digitel management, DOLE Secretary and the representatives of DEU happened  but there were still no concrete decisions from the side of the company.

“We want our parents to go back to their work so we can also go back to school.” said one of the kids of DEU.

“Mr. Manny Pangilinan, please give back to our parents their jobs. I want to be able to buy my school supplies and be ready in time for the school opening.” added another kid.

DEU is expecting a speedy resolution that is in line with what the Supreme Court and the DOLE decision has released.

“We don’t want our kids to be deprived of a better future just like what the PLDT/DIGITEL management is doing to us now.” ended Alzuelo. ###

FOR REFERENCE:

Alan Licardo – President – 09225375689
Fritz Alzuelo – Vice President – 09225342986

Blogsite:  digitelemployeesunion.wordpress.com/
Email:  digitel.employees.union@gmail.com
Twitter:  @DEUbraves   or    twitter.com/DEUbraves
Youtube:  www.youtube.com/DEUBraves
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/digitelemployesunion/
Petition Site:  http://www.thepetitionsite.com/405/755/620/digitel-employees-union-fights-for-its-labor-rights/

Hunger Strike

Alexis Valdez, father of two children, has worked at DIGITEL as an engineer for 19 years. A member of the DIGITEL Employee’s Union (DEU), Alexis is currently on a hunger strike.

Last April 16, Alexis joined some of the ninety three (93) protesting DEU members on a hunger strike to highlight their protest against the PLDT/DIGITEL management.

DEU, citing the Corporation Code, claims that the recent merger of PLDT and DIGITEL does not absolve PLDT of of its responsibilities The Corporation Code (sec. 80) states: “The surviving or consolidated entity must, therefore, recognize the security of tenure and length of service of the workers of the merging or consolidating corporations.”

Last March 19, 2013, a WRIT OF EXECUTION was issued by Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz ordering the commencement of Collective Bargaining Agreement and reinstatement of affected employees.

PLDT released a statement to Rappler stating that they have “exercised maximum tolerance” throughout the strike, but respect the right of the “former Digitel employees to freely express their views.”

As of the filming of this video, Alexis had not eaten for five (5) days.

Daniel Rudin, Rappler

Image caption: Alexis Valdez on the 5th day of his hunger strike against PLDT
Credits: Video by Monica Ablao and Jom Tolentino. Produced by Daniel Rudin.

DEU dropping pants?

What’s better than … ? by Butch Jimenez

A brilliant speech given by Butch Jimenez at the UP Diliman Class 2003 commencement exercises.

A Neophyte

_________________________________________________________

A letter from the picket line by Fritz Marie Alzuelo

 

                It has been 44 days of peaceful protest and 38 days of hunger strike and still, we are here at the DEU’s picket line. Time passes by so quickly and from what I observed at the things that we are going through, it seems that many of us are suffering in this struggle we are facing. The labor dispute between Digitel Employees Union and PLDT/DIGITEL, make most of our days here in the picket line seem to be tiring: emotionally, physically and mentally.

                I want to share some of our unforgettable experiences and mixed feelings we have in this fight: first, is the fear of being dispersed and harassed in the hands of uniformed men such as the PNP, Makati Security, PLDT’s Men in Blue and other hired security personnel; second, is the food we share among us that is contained in a plastic cellophane; third, is our bare exposure to the heat of the day and cold of the night; fourth, the way we sleep on the pavement and on the sidewalks of Makati; and lastly, our personal hygiene that adds up as one of the discomforts we are experiencing now.

                One rainy night at our make-shift tent, my daughter called me up and she was crying, she was so worried and kept on asking me on how can we sleep and take a rest when the ground is so wet. I told my daughter, as a father, there are sacrifices that we have to endure in order to get what is best for our family.

                But why are we experiencing these things? For we worked hard for this job, we spent most of our time and part of our lives working for DIGITEL much more than the time we spent with our families.

                I learned a lot of things from what we have been going through right now, it made me more complete of being a father. Stronger in a way on how to foresee things that might happen and how we should look at and value the workers’ dignity.                 Looking forward positively to the situation, because I know that in every circumstance in our lives, the truth and right will always prevail.

                May our Lord God grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, the courage to change the things we can, and the wisdom to know the difference. 

Reclaim Dignity of Workers.. Justice for the Braves!

Reclaim Dignity of Workers.. Justice for the Braves!

Members of Digitel Employees Union (DEU) are currently engaged in a labor dispute against the telecommunication giant PLDT/DIGITEL, the outcome of which may redefine the enjoyment of labor rights of workers everywhere.

It has been forty two (42) days since April 10 that ninety three (93) members of DEU launched a peaceful protest in front of PLDT Main Office at Ayala, Makati City against the closure/redundancy by DIGITEL-PLDT implemented last February 7, 2013. Thirty six (36) days back, last April 16, some members led by DEU president Alan Licardo started a Hunger Strike to highlight their protest and plight at the hands of the PLDT/DIGITEL management.

According to PLDT, the closure was because of ‘end of life’ facilities of the latter, DIGITEL, and has earned telecommunication giant PLDT, P1.5 Billion in savings.  Even former owner John Gokongwei got Php 1 Billion dividend in the last quarter of 2012, while PLDT earned Php 37 Billion net profit as a result of this business coup.

Indeed, the redundancy was merely a blind to render moot the earlier Supreme Court decision issued last January 21, 2013 that would have been a fitting end to almost twenty years of struggle with management to exercise the right of DEU to collectively bargain.

It also violates the Corporation Code (sec. 80) states that: The surviving or consolidated entity must, therefore, recognize the security of tenure and length of service of the workers of the merging or consolidating corporations.

DIGITEL is not losing money and their jobs still exist. But rather than retain as regulars, workers were offered Early Retirement and Voluntary Resignation Programs (ERP/VRP) and were promised to be re-hired. Unfortunately, most of those who took a chance in availing ERP/VRP-Rehire program gave up their job security and benefits: some ended up working as contractuals under PLDT’s outsourcing companies like PeopleServe and ServeFlex; others “failed” to pass probationary employment; and, there are those who did not pass their medical tests. Only a handful got to actually work for PLDT.

These affected employees are engineers and multi-skilled technicians that come from various DIGITEL offices across Luzon, they are held hostage by this unlawful act of the management that jeopardized not only their means of livelihood but also the dreams of their children and the future of labor.

 

Last March 19, 2013, a WRIT OF EXECUTION was issued by Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz. The DOLE orders the commencement of Collective Bargaining Agreement and reinstatement of affected employees.  In the meantime, PLDT-DIGITEL has continued to defy the order of the the Highest Court of the Philippines, making a mockery of the rule of law and the concept of justice.

         

Now there is an on-going tripartite hearing between PLDT-DIGITEL, DEU and mediated by DOLE, the workers will keep watch and be vigilant that justice for their fight be theirs and in so doing reclaim the dignity of labor, often sacrificed for profit. Their demand: give them back their regular jobs. Restore the pride and dignity of labor.##

FOR REFERENCE:

Alan Licardo – President – 09225375689
Fritz Alzuelo – Vice President – 09225342986

Blogsite:  digitelemployeesunion.wordpress.com/
Email:  digitel.employees.union@gmail.com
Twitter:  @DEUbraves   or    twitter.com/DEUbraves
Youtube:  www.youtube.com/DEUBraves
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/digitelemployeesunion/
Petition Site:  http://www.thepetitionsite.com/405/755/620/digitel-employees-union-fights-for-its-labor-rights/

MEDIA ADVISORY: DEU Members will troop to DOLE tomorrow for a TRIPARTITE HEARING with PLDT/Digitel and DOLE

MEDIA ADVISORY

May 20, 2013

 

 

Reclaiming Workers Dignity: Justice for DEU Workers!

 

 

This is the battle cry of Digitel Employees Union, 40-day picket & 35-day hunger strike at the PLDT Main Office in Makati. 

 

DEU workers will troop to DOLE tomorrow, Tuesday, May 21 at 9:30am to underscore the message of vigilance on the speedy resolution of their plight. 

The protest will coincide with a TRIPARTITE HEARING between DOLE, DIGITEL/PLDT and the Digitel Employees Union at the DOLE Main Office in Intramuros, Manila scheduled at 10am.

 

Along with the picket at DOLE, a moving picket at DEU Picket line in front of PLDT Ramon Cojuangco Bldg.  in Makati will also be at 9:30am.

 

For more info, contact:

JOVEL RICO – 09222448544

 

For interviews:

ALAN LICARDO – President–09225375689
FRITZ ALZUELO – Vice President–09225342986

PLDT-DIGITEL Will Save P1.5B from Network Integration

PLDT-DIGITEL Will Save P1.5B from Network Integration

Telcotroll

18may 
2013

Troll: This would be the main justification of PLDT for redundating so many Digitel employees: SAVINGS! As mentioned by the Troll in past posts – the annexation of Digitel by PLDT has created a problem of having two sets of engineers, operating in the same area, doing the same thing. What is the Empire to do? The rate of its expansion isn’t fast enough to maintain duplicate manpower – thus the need to early retire a few hundred employees here and there. But the question really is this – PLDT, for all its success, cannot figure out how to re-purpose employees so as to avoid the need to let go loyal Digitel soldiers. This is how disappointing as it gets; seems like the Empire went the easy route of letting go of people versus saving them.

…

PLDT expects to save P1-1.5B yearly, by the end of 2014, once the network integration of Digitel to its master network is completed. The whole annexation process of the telco and its mobile brand, Sun Cellular, started last year and is expected to be done in three years time.

According to the Empire, the whole rationalization of 560 base stations of PLDT and Sun has already paved the way for half a billion pesos in annual savings.

According to PLDT – absolutely no Digitel employee will be affected by in integration process “unless they are not performing well.”

Aaand the bullshit hits the fan.

Reality Bites!

The transfer of Digitel landline customers to PLDT has already resulted in the implementation of the infamous “redundancy program”.

The said program, which was submitted to, and approved by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), was completed last March. Over 80% of the Digitel Army accepted the package which, according to reports – offers twice the amount required by our labor laws, and even came with a two-year medical coverage.

From Digitel to Sun and PLDT

PLDT and Sun have even re-hired close to 400 Digitel employees in a bid to staunch the job loss created by the redundancy situation.

The Empire even went so far as to find alternative employment to Digitel soldiers it cannot absorb – through its external service providers.

Napoleon Nazareno, PLDT President:

“Those who cannot be absorbed have been provided various forms of assistance prior to the effectivity of their separation, including free workshops on entrepreneurship and livelihood.”

The Defiant Seventy!

According to reports, as much as 70 Digitel employees have refused to accept the redundancy package – 30 have decided to set up a protest front outside PLDT’s Makati office, two of which are on hunger strike.