CEBU, Philippines - In celebration of its 55th founding anniversary, Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines yesterday urged the workers to be vigilant and prepared to face the worsening global economic crisis.
Close to 400 officers and members of the ALU-TUCP in the Visayas region gathered yesterday in at the ALU building in Pier 1, Cebu City to celebrate their anniversary.
Joy Lim, chief of ALU’s education, information and communication said that the theme for their celebration this year is: “Barug Mamumuo Pakigbisog Ekonomikanhong Kalisod” as they call on all their members to be prepared with the recent effects of the global financial crisis.
Despite the labor sector’s gloomy picture, Lim said they did not call or submitted a petition for a wage increase because they are already frustrated with had happened to the previous petitions they filed before the regional wage board.
Matters addressing the present economic crisis and the preparation for Labor Day celebration were also tackled during the gathering.
Present during the activity were TUCP founder and national president Atty. Democrito T. Mendoza, TUCP executive vice president Atty. Cecilio Seno and national vice president for membership recruitment and services division Gerard R. Seno.
In his speech, Michael C. Mendoza, ALU’s area vice president for Visayas, updated the workers on the union’s current initiatives to respond to the difficult times which includes, among others, addressing problems of the displaced workers as well as those who are facing retrenchment.
He also lamented the fact that some management ride on the issue of the global economic crisis to avoid giving what is due for the workers.
Gerard added that the situation of the workers here in Cebu does not have much difference to those who are in Manila and even in other regional offices where ALU has members.
According to him, the economic crisis is not just affecting the workers in the industrialized sector, but also those who are working in the plantation.
However, he added that there are still measures that can prevent massive retrenchment by telling union members to be stronger and united.
Fifty-five years ago, lawyers Democrito T. Mendoza, Cecilio T. Seno and Januario T. Seno, (now deceased) founded and envisioned the TUCP to be the pillars and vanguards of true unionism.
At present, the union still continues to uphold principles of reasonable and responsible unionism, and fighting for the rights of the workers.
On May 1, in line with the celebration of the Labor Day, Democrito announced that they will highlight the celebration with the blessing and inauguration of the P168-million JSU-PSU Mariner’s Court /PSU -ALU office that would be graced by the local and national union leaders and members. — Johanna T. Natavio and Sarah Jane A. Nengasca, UP MassCom Intern/WAB (THE FREEMAN)