The members of the Vallacar Transit Inc. Employees Union-Associated Labor-Union-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines in Bacolod City are asking the company to allow them to conduct their campaign in their bus terminals to help them promote their group, union president Edgar Domingo, said yesterday.

At a press conference at the Negros Press Club building in Bacolod City, Domingo said they want to reach out to other workers and members of the union to get their support.

He claimed that the members of the incumbent workers’ union of Vallacar employees, the Philippine Agricultural Commercial Industrial Workers Union do not allow them to conduct campaigns in the private terminals of the company.

However, Teodoro Maturan, Vallacar Transit branch manager in Bacolod City, told the DAILY STAR that they are aware of the union’s election on Thursday but both unions are not allowed to conduct campaigns during working hours in all company premises like offices and private terminals of the company to avoid disturbance and interruption of their daily operations.

But they can campaign in public terminals owned by the towns and cities, Maturan said.

He said that both unions have agreed to this policy and have signed the agreement before a Department of Labor and Employment officer.

Alex Robete, VTIEU-ALU-TUCP vice president, said they organized a new union under the ALU-TUCP because the existing one cannot help the workers.

In 25 years with PACIWU as their union, Robete said workers rights were not implemented and that there is no democracy for them.

He added that the current union prohibits workers from enjoying their benefits.

PACIWU was not able to defend them when drivers were held responsible for the damages of their units during an accident, he also said. The company has insurance for their buses but why should drivers pay for the damages? Robete asked.

Bus inspector Jose Benignos, also claimed that they were not able to enjoy their hospitalization benefits with the company. He said he once asked for help with the PACIWU if they can avail of this benefit but was told that it is not available.

Domingo said that the union exists to help the workers and not as an accomplice of the management, adding they were not able to enjoy the benefits entitled to them.

Benignos also said that they have union dues with PACIWU but when they want to make use of their local fund, they are answered that there is no more fund left.

Robete added that they want a new union with ALU-TUCP to get rid of these anomalies and to fight for the rights of the workers.

ALU-TUCP covers seven provinces of the Cebu, Negros, and Panay Islands. These are Cebu, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, Iloilo, Antique, Aklan, and Capiz, he added.

Meanwhile, PACIWU members will have their press conference at the NPC building at 10 a.m. today. *LTG

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