kmu 25th year 2005 05-05-01

	NORDIS WEEKLY May 1, 2005
Home \| To bottom	Previous \| Next
KMU marks 25th year on May 1
BAGUIO CITY (April 28) — On its 25th year of genuine, militant, and nationalist unionism, the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) called on workers nationwide to uphold the gains and lessons of 25 years of genuine trade union organizing. In a statement, KMU reminded workers of their vital role in shaping the nation’s development. “The trade union movement has learned from its experiences and is still learning from the past. Strengths and weaknesses have been identified and assessed. All of these will serve as guide in a determined effort to go forward until victory”, the statement read. KMU-Cordillera Regional Coordinator Lorico “Ka Jun” Espejo said that KMU organizing here started among mineworkers. He explained that organizing for genuine unionism first found a significant breakthrough in Benguet Consolidated Inc. (Now Benguet Corporation) in Antamok, Itogon, Benguet when its mineworkers staged a three-day spontaneous strike. “This paved way for the expansion of union organizing to neighboring mines. In the latter part of 1970’s, the Baro a Timpuyog Dagiti Mangmangged iti Benguet –National Federation of Labor Unions (BTMB-NAFLU-KMU) won the Certification Election (CE) over the National Mine Workers and Allied Services Union (NAMAWU). This is a victory over the opposite of GTU (Genuine Trade Unionism) principles which is the yellow unionism,” Espejo added. Espejo said that the first commemoration of Labor Day in the Cordillera region was in the Balatoc, Itogon on May 1, 1981. This was attended by more than 800 workers and supporters of the labor movement in the region. Since then, Labor Day was commemorated annually by Cordillera workers and different sectors in different places in Benguet, particularly in the mine sites and the city. The annual commemoration of Labor Day has become an expression of solidarity among Cordillera workers and their struggles, Espejo said. A photo exhibit depicting KMU’s evolution in 25 years, and the march-rally will take place in the city on may 1. The main part of the commemoration will be a program where labor leaders would give testimonies regarding work related issues and struggles among their localities. Heroes and martyrs for the labor cause will be recognized an honored in the said activity. # Aldwin Quitasol for NORDIS
Home \| Back to top	Previous \| Next

	NORDIS WEEKLY May 1, 2005
Home \| To bottom	Previous \| Next
KMU marks 25th year on May 1
BAGUIO CITY (April 28) — On its 25th year of genuine, militant, and nationalist unionism, the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) called on workers nationwide to uphold the gains and lessons of 25 years of genuine trade union organizing. In a statement, KMU reminded workers of their vital role in shaping the nation’s development. “The trade union movement has learned from its experiences and is still learning from the past. Strengths and weaknesses have been identified and assessed. All of these will serve as guide in a determined effort to go forward until victory”, the statement read. KMU-Cordillera Regional Coordinator Lorico “Ka Jun” Espejo said that KMU organizing here started among mineworkers. He explained that organizing for genuine unionism first found a significant breakthrough in Benguet Consolidated Inc. (Now Benguet Corporation) in Antamok, Itogon, Benguet when its mineworkers staged a three-day spontaneous strike. “This paved way for the expansion of union organizing to neighboring mines. In the latter part of 1970’s, the Baro a Timpuyog Dagiti Mangmangged iti Benguet –National Federation of Labor Unions (BTMB-NAFLU-KMU) won the Certification Election (CE) over the National Mine Workers and Allied Services Union (NAMAWU). This is a victory over the opposite of GTU (Genuine Trade Unionism) principles which is the yellow unionism,” Espejo added. Espejo said that the first commemoration of Labor Day in the Cordillera region was in the Balatoc, Itogon on May 1, 1981. This was attended by more than 800 workers and supporters of the labor movement in the region. Since then, Labor Day was commemorated annually by Cordillera workers and different sectors in different places in Benguet, particularly in the mine sites and the city. The annual commemoration of Labor Day has become an expression of solidarity among Cordillera workers and their struggles, Espejo said. A photo exhibit depicting KMU’s evolution in 25 years, and the march-rally will take place in the city on may 1. The main part of the commemoration will be a program where labor leaders would give testimonies regarding work related issues and struggles among their localities. Heroes and martyrs for the labor cause will be recognized an honored in the said activity. # Aldwin Quitasol for NORDIS
Home \| Back to top	Previous \| Next