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Luisita workers man ranks despite typhoon Yoyong

HACIENDA LUISITA, Tarlac (Dec. 3) — Amid strong winds and heavy rains due to super typhoon Yoyong, workers of the Central Azucarera de Tarlac (CAT) and United Luisita Workers Union (ULWU) did not leave their picketlines. Many of them got sick due to the weather.

In a phone interview with ULWU President Rene Galang, he said that they were prepared even before the typhoon came. Gates 1 and 2 of the Central Azucarera de Tarlac (CAT) were manned 24 hours on shifts.

“We have survived hunger and pain. We even lost some of our comrades because of the November 16 incident. What more now? It’s just a typhoon. Our victory depends on our strength”, he said.

Meanwhile, negotiations between the two unions and their management are negotiating panel on December 2 in San Fernando, Pampanga was reset due to the typhoon. CATLU Secretary Nestor Arquiza told Nordis that the management is willing to bargain with the workers and will still file against the workers an “illegal strike.”

The unions will meet on December 10 to present their issues and demands to the management. Nueva Ecija Governor Tommy Joson will serve as the messenger of the two parties. President Gloria Arroyo is reportedly aware of the said negotiations.

Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU)-Cordillera expressed disapproval of the said case of “illegal strike” against the workers. Nida Tundagui of KMU-Cordillera said the management should look into the legitimacy of the Notice of Strike (NOS) demands, not the illegality of the strike, because after all, it was legal. It was only the assumption of jurisdiction issued by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) which made the strike illegal, she said.# JAC for NORDIS

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