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 satisfaction of labor rights to workers everywhere.

Forty two (42) days ago, last April 10, 93 members of DEU launched a peaceful protest in front of PLDT Main Office at Ayala, Makati City. They launched picket activities because after PLDT acquired DIGITEL, closure due to end-of-life facilities and redundancy greeted the workers last February 7, 2013. They were illegally terminated from their regular jobs, a stumbling block to the favorable Supreme Court decision issued with finality dated 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.

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. The PLDT/DIGITEL closure and integration to justify redundancy violates corporate law wherein 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, why were the employees given the boot? When in fact, 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. Instead, regular employees 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.

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. 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

The brave men and women of DEU are against the mass termination, union busting and contractualization implemented by the PLDT/DIGITEL management which aims to frustrate the implementation of the SC decision and DOLE order. Their continuous defiance on the directive makes the Highest Court of the Philippines appear stupid and powerless, a mockery on the idea of rule of law and justice.

In the face of these challenges, the DEU members are determined and committed in continuing the struggle that has earned them 25 favorable court decisions in a span of nine (9) years. Sadly, all these legal wins seem to have no bearing on an influential and rich company like PLDT.

Digitel workers deserve respect, their labor and human rights must never be sacrificed for the need of profit. 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: http://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/

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