Veco labor feud talks fizzle anew

THE resolution of the labor dispute between the Visayan Electric Co. (Veco) and its employees won’t be seen anytime soon.

This developed after the two parties failed to reach an amicable settlement before the Department of Labor and Employment’s National Conciliation and Mediation Board.

In a press statement, Renato Gimenez, acting president of the Veco Employees Union (Veceu), said Veco rejected their proposed agreement.

Gimenez said the labor union finds unacceptable the proposal of management to drop from the list of union officers their president Casmero Mahilum.

“The union branded this as illegal, being a clear interference in the internal affairs of the union,” Gimenez said.

He said Mahilum can’t be dropped from the official records of the union because the latter was neither replaced through election nor impeached in accordance with Veco’s constitution and by-laws.

Gimenez said the employee-employer relationship between Veco and Mahilum has not yet been cut.

“The rejection by management of the union’s proposal which incorporates all Veco’s demands proves that Veco management has no intention to forge a settlement with the union,” he said.

Gimenez said they have no other choice but to exert all efforts to defend the union.

An agreement would have resulted in the withdrawal of the union’s notice of strike and its commitment “to harmonize labor and management relations for the efficient operation of the Company.”

Veco has yet to issue a statement on this latest snag in the labor dispute.

Earlier the company said the labor dispute between management and the labor union won’t affect its operations and service to Metro Cebu. /Reporter Ador Vincent Mayol