Davao City – The union of Radio Mindanao Network (RMN) Davao formally submitted Friday before the National Telecommunications Commission their complaint against the “illegal broadcast” of RMN Davao.
The filing of complaint against RMN owner Eric Canoy and RMN Davao manager Leo Daugdaug was led Friday by RMN Davao Employees Union (RDEU) president, Gina Hitgano.
Striking broadcasters and radio workers here said the management of RMN sent out alleged illegal broadcasts since October 3 despite the union strike and appealed to government intervention the continued broadcast from what they claimed was the use of an unlicensed facility.
Read related story: RMN management still airing broadcast despite strike
The union based their complaint on the following grounds: 1) Illegal broadcasting: Broadcasting of DXDC 621 frequency outside the licensed and registered studio; 2) Using unregistered, unlicensed equipment- Studio to Transmitter Link (STL); 3) Runaway Shop: Illegal act committed by management during a labor dispute especially during the conduct of the RMN Employees Union lawful strike.
“We are challenging the NTC to stop RMN Davao from airing its AM frequency illegally. Their actions violate NTC regulations and they are also in violation of our right to strike,” Hitgano said.
In a separate press conference held last week by the RMN management, Daugdaug reasoned out that their continued broadcast is part of their “duty” to provide news, information and entertainment to the public.
Read related story: Radio station manager says alleged ‘illegal broadcasting’ is fulfillment of ‘duty’
Since the strike last October 1, four negotiations were facilitated by the National Conciliation and Mediation Board. According to Hitgano, the negotiations failed “because of management’s refusal to replace vacated positions by regularizing contractual employees, in adherence to the CBA.”
“Our position is clear: there are qualified contractual workers in RMN Davao who are due for regularization. Replace the vacated positions by regularizing them and not resort to external hiring of “talents,” Hitgano added.
The union also hit the management for “retaliatory actions” against the strikers through by attacking the strikers “on air”.
“The management is basically sanctioning these forms of harassment. We are here to tell RMN that their actions do not contribute to a just resolution of the strike. We will fight until we win,” Hitgano said. (davaotoday.com)
