By ALDWIN QUITASOL
www.nordis.net

And it also become clear that these conditions of inequality and historical injustice have given rise to a feeling of hate in the world – a deeply felt hate that cannot easily be overcome with a few good words — Ulrich Beck

On November 2, more than 50 members of the Times Employees Union-National Federation of Labor Unions-Kilusang Mayo Uno (TEU-NAFLU-KMU) marched the streets of Vigan City, Ilocos Sur to tell the public about their struggle for labor and other democratic rights. From there, they proceeded to the highway leading to the National Capital Region particularly to Quezon City where the main office of the National Labor Relations and Commission-Department of labor and Employment (NLRC-DOLE) is located.

They were marching some 400 kilometers, to demonstrate the seriousness of their demands that for the past 15 years they have struggled to obtain – justice. They will march to demand NLRC to immediately implement the Supreme Court ruling in their favor that was scheduled for implementation on October 29 to 30. These workers of the Times Transportation Company Inc. were awarded P97 million in back wages, benefits among others by the Supreme Court.

It was in 1997 when they formed their union and registered it. Just like in other workplaces where the company bosses are allergic to unions, the management tried to contest the legitimacy of the registration of their union, and demand that it will be canceled.

The workers went on strike. The labor secretary that time assumed jurisdiction quashing the efforts of the workers to force the company to give to their demands of recognition. Then the company fired its workers especially those who were active in the union. The workers set out another strike then again the labor secretary declaring the workers action illegal.

The management sold its certificate of public convenience and its buses to another company to prevent the terminated workers from getting their monetary claims. They also bought off two of the union’s leaders.

Five years later, the labor arbiter that time issued a decision favoring the workers giving them right to monetary claims and the workers be reinstated. But the management exhausted all legal remedies in a bid to reverse the decision.

The Court of Appeals affirmed the earlier decision on 2004. Seven years have passed after the legal battles, no worker was given back their jobs or paid their money. For all the years that they fought, some of them had died, hoping that they be vindicated.

For 15 years that TEU members fought for their rights in the face of other challenges in life. After walking for miles, NLRC just denied their demand for the implementation of SC’s decision.

No such words can describe how agencies mandated to serve for the interests of the people who are paying taxes and making the production of the nation being instruments of the rich and the elite. # nordis.net