Press Release
15 March 2013
Davao City, Philippine s- The latest move of the management of Lapanday Foods Corporation to pursue the libel case against the President of the Lapanday Box and Plastic Workers Union-Association of Democratic Labor Organizations-Kilusang Mayo Uno (LBPPWU-ADLO-KMU) added to the series of violations the former committed in the implementation of the Final provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the union. The Collective Bargaining Agreement was signed by both parties on December 14, 2012. It would take effect upon signing of the document.
It can be recalled that a Final Settlement Agreement was forged between Lapanday management and the Union on November 23, 2012 at the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB). Such agreement finalized the economic provisions that must be incorporated in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). It stated also that the political provisions previously agreed upon shall form part of the final CBA document. It further added that no retaliatory actions shall be instituted by either parties due to the labor dispute. Such settlement prior to the CBA signing settled and closed the Notice of Strike filed by the Union as well as the Preventive Mediation case filed by the Management.
Instead of implementing the whole provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the management instead violates some of them. Worse, it is making move that is clearly a retaliatory act towards the union in the guise of a libel case. It is a clear form of harassment towards the Union committed by the management aiming to quell the workers.
The Union expressed that the company still did not release the monthly rice allowance, the union dues and office space provision as contained in the Agreement. And now, the management moves to prosecute the Union President for the case of libel which only shows insincerity and animosity of the former. The recent violations of the company only revealed how it treats its employees.
Despite of the recent challenges, the Union will continue to press for its rights in the workplace. It will protest the breach of the CBA made by the Lapanday management. The Union will exercise all legal rights vested upon it and will resolutely struggle for the implementation of the CBA and end injustices in the workplace.
To note, the libel case filed by Lapanday management stemmed from the published news article in the midst of the labor dispute between the Union and Management late last year. The said case not only includes the Union President but also two Editors-in-Chief of local publications in the city. But the said suit was dismissed by the City Prosecution office last January 31, 2013 because of insufficiency in content to warrant a libel case to pursue and that resulted to the filing of appeal by the Lapanday management last March 6, 2013.
For reference:
ROMUALDO BASILIO
Secretary-General
KMU-Southern Mindanao
0906 6525498
