Furniture firm workers stage protest

CEBU, Philippines - Another furniture company based in Mandaue City is embroiled in a labor conflict after several of its workers staged a picket to air their grievances against the management.

R & Y Augousti, which is located in Alinsug, Basak, Mandaue City, has been operating for 18 years. It has at least 230 workers belonging to R & Y Employees Union-Associated Labor Union-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines.

ALU-TUCP spokesperson Joy Lim said the company has 340 workers, excluding those holding managerial positions.

Lim said that the union has already filed a notice of strike before the National Conciliation and Mediation Board.

Among the issues raised by the union against the management include the latter’s alleged refusal to comply with the collective bargaining agreement.

Lim said that the workers were only paid half of their salaries for February that was only released last March 2.

Lim said that the company also failed to settle the workers’ 13th month pay as well as longevity pay and optional retirement pay.

She said that retrenched workers were not paid of their separation pay.

Lim added that the management also failed to remit the SSS and Pag-Ibig premiums of the workers as well as the loan payments since November. —Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/LPM (THE FREEMAN)