NAPIPINTO na umanong matapos ang pag-aaklas ng mga miyembro ng Digitel Employees’ Union (DEU) na magtatatlong buwan nang naka-hunger strike dahil sa iligal na pagsibak ng Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) sa mga kawani ng Digitel makaraang mabili ang nasabing telco noong 2011. Batay sa report, pagbibigyan na ng pamunuan ng PLDT ang mga kahilingan ng DEU, kabilang ang pagbabalik sa trabaho ng kanilang mga kasamahan at ang gawing regular na empleyado ng PLDT ang mga ito.
Sa kabila ng magandang balitang ito ay hindi pa rin lubusang natutuwa ang DEU dahil sa agam-agam na walang pakialam ang PLDT sa kapakanan ng mga empleyado nito.
Sa panayam sa ilang miyembro ng DEU na tumangging ipabanggit ang kanilang pangalan, ginagamit umano ng naturang telco ang Beneficial Trust Fund (BTF) na nakalaan sa pensiyon ng mga magreretirong empleyado sa ibang pagkakagastusan.
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PLDT Opens Door for Digitel Workers, Protest Center Continues
The labor dispute between the management and the affected workers has reached preliminary settlement purposes. This was the result of the latest round of tripartite dialogue between the PLDT Management, DOLE and Digitel Employees Union (DEU) last May 27.
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 removed placards, signage and streamers at the picket line.
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 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
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Reclaim Workers Dignity: Justice to DEU Workers
Vigilance at Latest Tripartite Hearing Stressed
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.
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“Digitel Employees Union Hunger Strike Day 1” on YouTube
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Behold, in front of you are the gallant men and women of Digitel Employees Union (DEU). In its fight against PLDT’s Corporate GREED. Their scheme of Closure via REDUNDANCY is a clear union busting and to promote CONTRACTUALIZATION. They are pushing their scheme even if it’s against the LAW.
Last March 15, 2013, more than four hundred (400) regular employees of DIGITEL have been terminated via the Redundancy Program of PLDT/DIGITEL Management. Almost 80% regular employees availed the program where they are paid 190% of their number of years in service. Almost all of these redundant employees were offered jobs as contractual under SERVEFLEX and PEOPLESERVE, with the same salary, same position, same job description and same work location. HOW CAN THIS BE REDUNDANCY?!!! A clear violation and act of Illegal Dismissal.
For nine (9) years of DEU struggles, we abide by all the rules of LAW. DEU WON ALL THE LEGAL BATTLES!!!
Major CASES PLDT/DIGITEL DEU
NCMB-NCR-NS-11-307-04 (National Conciliation & Mediation Board) LOST WON
NCMB-NCR-05-09605 LOST WON
NLRC-NCR-CC #000302-05(Nat’l Labor Relations Comm.) LOST WON
GRSP # 91719/94825 ( Court of Appeals) LOST WON
GR # 184903-04 (Supreme Court-With Finality 01/21/13) LOST WON
WRIT OF EXECUTION ( DOLE – March 19, 2013 ) LOST WON
With all these LEGAL matters in place, why is it that JUSTICE is still not enforced? Why is it that JUSTICE is still out of reach? IS PLDT/DIGITEL ABOVE THE LAW? Why is it that this company continue to defy all the Decisions of the Philippines’ Government Offices?
Last March 22, 2013 a manifestation was issued by PLDT/DIGITEL Management in answer to the WRIT OF EXECUTION issued by DOLE, stating that DIGITEL is no longer in a position to commence Collective Bargaining Negotiations with the DEU because the Company has been integrated with PLDT and all of its employees have already been terminated via Redundancy Program.
Last April 10, 2013 because of continuous defiance of PLDT/DIGITEL Management to the Rule of LAW, DEU started a Peaceful Protest Rally in front of PLDT Main Office at RC Building, Ayala, Makati, and a HUNGER STRIKE followed last April 16 until now. But our presence caused them “IRRITATION” and “SHAME”. They even covered the Picket Line with a shuttle bus and tall security guards and desperately made a move to drive us out of PLDT premises.
Last April 16, 2013 a case was filed at Makati RTC by PLDT/DIGITEL Management to DEU for allegedly violated Illegal Occupancy and Trespassing at the property of PLDT in a premise that PLDT and DIGITEL is a separate entity a clear conflict to what they said earlier that PLDT-DIGITEL has been integrated.
Last April 19, 2013 at 3:00 AM the PLDT Management with the help of more than 100 PLDT Security guards dismantled our Protest Center and acting by itself without the Order and result of the Makati RTC decision. A CLEAR DISRESPECT OF THE LAW!!! Where are we going to seek JUSTICE if these Powerful and Rich Company does not abide by our Laws? Let’s bring HOPE to our Society, for the sake of our children’s career and future. Join the fight, join the cause!!!
Press Release
April 24, 2013
References: Allan Licardo – DEU President (09223756892)
Fritz Marie Alzuelo – DEU Vice President (09225375689)
Picket Direct Landline – 345 5991
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Support snowball for beleaguered digital employees union (DEU), currently picketing the PLDT Main Office in Makati.
Labor organizations MAKABAYAN and Alliance of Progressive Labor (APL) troop to the DEU picket line that was set up early morning of April 9. Sixty (60) security guards and four (4) patrol cars of the Makati City Police were deployed to the area. There were reports yesterday that PLDT plans to break the picket line.
Workers demand that their labor dispute with PLDT, which has acquired DIGITEL last year, be immediately resolved.
According to DEU, closure and redundancy was PLDT’s answer to the union demand of collective bargaining and secure jobs.
DIGITEL closed last March 15.
Management has yet to talk to the picketing workers.
Yesterday, DEU received news that Labor SecretaryRosalinda Baldoz has set a conference meeting on April 16 between the union and PLDT management.
“Wag sanang pagpasa-pasahan ng DOLE at PLDT kaming mga manggagawa.” said Fritz Alzuelo, DEU Vice President.
“Hindi kami aalis dito hanggang hindi ito nareresulosyunan.” ended Alzuelo.
———————————————–
DIGITEL Employees – shifted their protest to PLDT main Office at Makati from different business offices
As early as 5:30 in the morning today, members of Digitel Employees Union (DEU) coming from different provinces of Luzon met together and put up a protest center in front of PLDT Main Office at Makati Ave corner De la Rosa St, Makati City. They are protesting the “closure and integration of Digitel operation” as an outcome of 2011 “sale” – shareholding swapping between the two communication giants.
Closure has now become an obstacle in implementing the Supreme Court Order to negotiate with the union for their collective bargaining agreement. The closure also resulted to the dismissal and Redundancy of Digitel employees.
DEU has won every case (12 cases in all) in every step of the way against Digitel, which was formally owned by John Gokongwei, from the Office of The DOLE Secretary and National Labor Relation Commission (NLRC).
CLOSURE is a clear “IWAS PUSOY” maneuver by Digitel, the latest addition to PLDT group of companies, which was acquired by PLDT last 201.
Digitel allegedly “closed down” last March 15, 2013 but the truth is the operation continues, the Digitel operation now is manned by contractual employees mostly from former Digitel employees who avail Voluntary Resignation Program (VRP) and Early Retirement Program (ERP).
Last April 2, 2013 DEU pitched five Regional Offices of Digitel (Naga, Dagupan, Rizal, Bulacan and Pampanga).
DIGITEL EMPLOYEES UNION [DEU] PRESS RELEASE April 10, 2013 Reference: Fritz Alzuelo – Union Vice President, 09228958758 Allan Licardo – Union President, 09225375689 Picket Direct Landline – 345 5991
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DIGITEL Employees – to protest anew at different business offices Geared for hunger strike!
DIGITEL Employees are back at different DIGITEL Offices and exchanges on the first day or April to protest against the non-issuance of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Central Office of a writ of execution of the Supreme Court decision on their case and a restraining order on Digitel’s integration of operation with PLDT.
“We’ve waited long enough, and this is only what we got?” said Allan Licardo, Digitel Emplyees Union (DEU) President. “This is another station of the cross—additional to the 19 years of carrying the cross on our shoulder.” Licardo was referring to their fight for the right to self organization and to collective bargaining negotiation way back in 1994.
Licardo explained that DOLE’s decision granting the execution without a writ of execution will not do any good for the employees because it cannot force the DIGITEL management to obey the Supreme Court decision to bring the dismissed workers back to their work and start with the collective bargaining.
The simultaneous protests at different business units will last until tomorrow. If no positive result takes place, all members will go to Manila to reset up a protest center where some will stage a hunger strike.
“Hunger Strike is our last recourse if DOLE and Court will not push the decision to fruition, especially with telecom giant Digitel/PLDT bent on choking the union to its death and mangling the law to unrecognizability. Our experience reveals that we have nowhere to go under the system, as concerned authorities merely wait and see until their decisions favorable to workers such as the SC decision last January 21,2013 are reduced to mere scraps of paper.” Licardo pointed out.
PLDT “bought” Digitel via shareholding swap then closed it, integrated its operation into PLDT’s, got rid of the regular employees who are union members to replace them with contractual workers. “If this is the meaning of Pinoy’s ‘tuwid na daan’, it means that he is encouraging his people to violate orders of the Supreme Court,” Licardo lamented.
“This (maneuver from the PLDT/DIGITEL) does not contravene labor rights guaranteed by the Constitution but it also violates the approved “sale”/shareholding-swap between Digitel and PLDT as approved by the National Telecommunication Commission. Lastly, this is a continuing violation by DIGITEL, a grievous violation after violations that can be considered criminal,” Licardo further explained.
“So our resolve is to undergo hunger strike to sacrifice ourselves to bring things in order. This is a bitter pill we are willing to take not only for ourselves but for the future generation,“ Licardo concluded”. ###
Member of Manggagawa para sa Kalayaan ng Bayan (MAKABAYAN)
DIGITEL EMPLOYEES UNION [DEU]
PRESS RELEASE
April 1, 2013
Reference: Allan Licardo – Union President, 09225375689
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