TUCP affiliate declared real union in bus firm | Inquirer News
DLTB LABOR ROW RULING

TUCP affiliate declared real union in bus firm

The Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) has issued a ruling declaring the Philippine Trade and General Workers’ Organization (PTGWO) as the legitimate employees’ union of the Del Monte Land Transport Bus Co. (DLTBCo), a major bus firm that plies routes from Metro Manila to Southern Luzon provinces.

This followed a strike in December last year launched by another workers’ group, the Alliance of Genuine Labor Organizations (Aglo), which claimed to be the legitimate employees’ union.

In a 14-page decision dated Feb. 9, the Dole regional office in Calabarzon recognized DLTB-PTGWO, led by Erickson Rotoni, as the union legally representing the bus firm workers.

Article continues after this advertisement

“The local union officers headed by Rotoni under DLTB-PTGWO are affirmed as the duly elected officers in representation of the rank-and-file employees of the DLTB,” said the decision signed by mediator arbiter Rosita Villaluz.

FEATURED STORIES

Last year, DLTB-Aglo members held a work stoppage, which affected the bus company’s operations in Southern Luzon during the holidays in December.

At the height of the strike, five buses were burned in Lemery, Batangas province, while drivers and conductors who did not want to join were reportedly harassed.

Article continues after this advertisement

The DLTB management  then filed an interpleader case to determine the legal standing of the DLTB-Aglo in its claim to represent the DLTB workers.

Article continues after this advertisement

Rotoni and the DLTB-PTGWO officers were elected in August 2014, after which the workers signed a collective bargaining agreement with the management.

Article continues after this advertisement

Aside from recognizing the DLTB-PTGWO, the Dole also directed the DLTBCo management to stop deducting union dues from the members of the DLTB-Aglo under a certain Ronald Austria.

Lawyer Hernan Nicdao, PTGWO general secretary, said actions like the work stoppage tarnished the image of labor unions and did  not help in strengthening trade unionism.

Article continues after this advertisement

“This five-year right of representation should always be respected to maintain industrial peace, which is one of the primary objectives of unionism,” Nicdao said in a statement.

The DLTBCo, as a result of the ruling, said it could now assure the riding public of uninterrupted service this Lenten season.

“The company is ready to meet all exigencies to serve the riding public,” lawyer Joyce Valeros, DLTBCo counsel, said in a phone interview on Friday.

In a statement, the DLTBCo management said the ruling should put to rest questions on which union really represents the bus firm workers.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

It said, however, that despite the Dole order, Aglo “continues to threaten DLTBCo.”

TAGS: bus firm

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.