Terminated workers and members of the Bacolod Columbia Marketing Workers Association have paralyzed the operation of the Bacolod Columbia Marketing Inc., through strike after the officials of BCMI and the workers failed to settle the issue of reinstatement and recognize the existence of a workers’ union, the protesting former employees said.

At a press conference near the BMCI building in PurokHervias, Brgy.Villamonte, Bacolod, Roland Cansenaje, workers’ union spokesperson, said they have been asking for a dialog with the management after they filed the notice of strike at the National Conciliation and Mediation Board on Sept. 27 but were refused.

He claimed they only want the management to recognize the union and reinstate the workers who were terminated without due process.

Zoilo de la Cruz IV, national director for membership and organization of the National Congress of Unions in the Sugar Industry of the Philippines-Congress of Independent Organization-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines, who was at the press conference, recalled that the issue started after a commotion between the workersand the company security guards and the personal bodyguard and driver of Alfonso Chan Choa, owner, on Aug. 13.

Cansenaje said they will continue with their strike until settlement is made and that they are set to meet with the BMCI board members, Sunday.

The management also issued a final order yesterday posted on its gate stating that the compensations for the terminated workers will be computed accordingly.

It also stated that they will forego the filing of criminal charges against the terminated employees with offenses who will accept their offer but charges will be filed against those who will refuse.

Cansenaje, however, said, that they did not accept the offer and that they want to have a dialog with the management.

The DAILY STAR contacted the Bacolod Columbia Marketing, Inc. for comment but office personnel said over the phone that its officials were not available. *LTG

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