Kepco-SPC labor unions file strike notice anew

THE labor unions of the Korean Electric Power-Salcon Power Corp. (Kepco-SPC)  filed anew a notice of strike after management terminated   plant supervisor Lowell Sanchez.

“They still ended up terminating him (Sanchez). Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz can’t blame us if we would do this because we have   done our part,” said Dennis Derige of the Partido ng Manggagawa.

He said they will meet with the 120 plant employees to decide on the date of the strike.

Their decision came two days after the results of the reinvestigation on Sanchez were released last June 2.

Both the Kepco supervisors association headed by Sanchez and the employees union called off the May 1 strike after Baldoz mediated in their dispute with management.

The re-investigation report was signed by Choi Yuong, the human resource (HR) head of the company.

The reinvestigation  by the Kepco-SPC management included representatives from the National Conciliation Mediation Board (NCMB), the governor’s office and Workers Solidarity Network as observers.

“This is unfair. The re-investigation was conducted solely by the company. The strike will happen anytime after it will be agreed on by the members,” Sanchez said.

NCMB Regional Director Edmundo Mirasol said while the unions filed notices of strike, a strike ballot should be conducted

“They should also inform us ahead when the strike ballot happens. We will send  personnel there. Once it is agreed (upon) then there will be a strike ban for seven days. After seven days they can hold strike,” he added.

Unauthorized

Sanchez showed a copy of the verdict of the reinvestigation after a conference yesterday held at the NCMB office.

The conference was attended by Sanchez, Derige, Kepco-SPC management’s HR officer Judith De Leon and Kepco-SPC lawyer Alan Fontanosa. Another meeting will be held on June 16.

Mirasol said they will also inform Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III on the case and had e-mailed updates to Baldoz since last week.

“Much to its regret, (the reinvestigation committee) finds and holds you (Sanchez) guilty of the charges leveled against you. You had knowingly, willfully and deliberately organized, presided over and facilitated (unauthorized) meetings or gatherings of the rank-and-file union during company time and at company premises,” the reinvestigation report stated.

Sanchez was “directed and required to immediately comply with the exit requirements so the company may process the last or final pay, less any accountabilities, within 15 days from receipt of the notice.

Sanchez’s termination takes effect on July 2 or 30 days after the dismissal notice.

Fontanosa said he respects Sanchez’s right to pursue redress for his grievances.

“In fact, there are still conciliation proceedings. We believe that the NCMB will solve the problem. We also want to reiterate that it was a re-investigation which means the first investigation happened last March. The first notice of dismissal was issued last March 27,” Fontanosa said.

Sanchez defended his record and said he was recognized as “Employee of the Month” and “Performance Awardee of the Year” by Kepco-SPC last year.