Iloilo truck drivers on strike

Iloilo City – After failing to settle through mediation the dispute between the Iloilo ARR Enterprises Labor Organization (IARRELO) and the management of ARR Trucking, the former decided to hold a union strike lamenting union busting and unfair labor practice.  This after what started to be a peaceful labor union formation by drivers of ARR Enterprises and their subsequent submission of a proposal for Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) to the ARR management was met with harsh consequences.

            While the CBA negotiations were proceeding, ARR management dismissed the Union President, Mr. Elmer Blancaflor and the Union Secretary,Mr. Wilson Amatac, on a flimsy claim of redundancy by transferring their respective truck units to another province of operation of ARR.

            This prompted the filing of an Illegal Dismissal case, Unfair Labor Practice and Union busting against ARR management with the NLRC and a Notice of Strike at the NCMB.

            “Indi nagid ni ya ensakto ang ubra ka management. Nagpungko pa kami para maistoryahan ang amon CBA, tapos gulpi lang wala na kami ya unit kag hambalon nga redundant na kami sang akon Sekretaryo”, lamented Elmer Blancaflor, IARRELO President.

            Blancaflor was optimistic that their proposed CBA will be granted by the management since every negotiation between them and the ARR management, the atmosphere is cordial and all are amenable to the suggestion of each other.

            “Nakibot lang kami nga pitik sintas, wad-an kami ya ubra.  Nga kabalu gid sila nga union officers kami kag gapungko pa sa negotiating panel sang Unyon sa CBA negotiation,” said Union Secretary Wilson Amatac.

            With the seven (7) days cooling off period expiring without a clear settlement after NCMB personnel mediated between the parties, IARRELO is now set to put up the strike.

            “Ang katapusan namon nga alatrasan, strike na gid lang. Indi man tani namon ini luyag himuon apang kun amo ini ang pamaagi nga mapalab-ot namon sa mga natungdan ang amon problema, pasensya sa maapektuhan. Indi kami magpasugot, bilang mamumugon, nga basta lang lapakon ang amon kinamatarung kag pagkatawo”, declared Blancaflor.

           The Partido Manggagawa (PM), which has been assisting IARRELO, declared its full support to the decision of the Union to stage a strike.

            “Kun kinahanglan sang mamumugon nga manindugan kag maghulag para pamatukan ang mga kalakaran sa sulod sang ulubrahan nga nagapakanubo sang ila pagkatawo kag nagalapas sang ila kinamatarung bilang mamumugon, ang PM handa, sa ano man nga pamaagi, para suportahan ini”, concluded Mario Andon of Partido Manggagawa (PM).  

August 16, 2017

TRUCK WORKERS LAUNCH PROTEST STRIKE AGAINST HARBOUR-LINK MANAGEMENT

PRESS RELEASE

6 June 2011

UNITED PANAY & ILOILO TRUCK DRIVERS ASSOCIATION

 

The truck drivers of Harbour-Link Transport, Inc. launched protest action today in front of its office and motor pool located at Brgy. Banoyao along coastal road in La Paz , Iloilo City .

The 15 drivers were joined by their families in the protest expressing disgust over Harbour-Link management’s continued to refusal to provide them of incentives, such as; 13th month pay, service incentive leave pay, and holiday pay since 2004.

According to Elmer Blancaflor, spokesperson of the drivers, “we have not been receiving these incentive pay since 2004 and we call on the management to settle its obligations to us especially in these times of desperate need with the opening of the classes.”

“These incentives are law mandated and consistent in upholding the labor standards in the workplace. We are only asking from the management what is due for us,” stressed Blancaflor.

Moreover, the drivers are likewise demanding that the management reinstate them back to work after they were unjustly relieved of driving duties by gathering from them the truck keys the day after they lodged a complaint at the regional office of National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC).  

The filing of complaint is a necessary legal step that we took in order for the management to realize that they cannot abandon their obligations to their workers and to formalize our demand on the proper venue. The management however seem displeased by our actions thus relieved us from our work,” explained by Blancaflor.    

The truck drivers of Harbour-Link Transport are members of the United Panay and Iloilo Truck Drivers Association (UPTDA), a group of Class “A” licensed and skilled drivers from different companies in the container van and forwarding industry formed by Partido ng Manggagawa (PM Panay-Guimaras).

Cito Cordero, president of UPTDA explained that “if the management and legal counsel of Harbour-Link are guided by the labor standards set forth by our labor laws then they are aware that they deliberately committed “constructive dismissal” after they relieved the drivers of driving duties following their filing of a complaint.”

“This is a clear violation against the driver-workers. A management who is aware of its responsibilities yet has engaged itself in violating it is also committing abuse to its workers,” said Cordero.

The management must realize that we, the workers, are the lifeblood of our industries and of our economy and nation. What they are doing anti-workers and unacceptable to the working class,” criticized Cordero.

For his part, Ronald Payda, coordinator of PM Panay-Guimaras shared that the management of Harbour-Link cannot just exercise its “management prerogative” anytime they see fit.’

Payda averred, that there are parameters provided on how management can address the problems of its workers putting limitations to management prerogatives. I urge their lawyer, Atty. Jose Junio Jacela to refresh his memory regarding fair labor practices by reviewing his labor law.”

“We call on all our fellow workers to unite and support the cause of Harbour-Link drivers. Our unity is the only weapon that we have in our hands as we push for our collective demand for proper compensations and benefits, concluded Payda.