Holcim Davao plant former workers seek union recognition, regularization

PROTESTING WORKERS who have been dismissed from the Holcim Philippines, Inc. plant in Davao City, hired through contractor Fort Steel Cargo Integrators Inc., pressed on their call to be reinstated and be given regular employment status. In an open letter to the company, a copy of which was sent to BusinessWorld, the group All Unfairly Dismissed Workers of LafargeHolcim Davao who are also members of the labor union Dahewu-Sentro, said their three basic demands are: “1. Stop hiring of scabs by reinstating all of us direct to LafargeHolcim with full back wages without a labor-only contractor Fortsteel; 2. Recognize our union membership in DAHEWU-SENTRO; and, 3. Fairly implement voluntary regularization by complying with the Collective Bargaining Agreement of DAHEWU-SENTRO and LafargeHolcim…” The group said they are standing pat on these conditions, noting that most of them have been working for the company “side by side with the regular rank-and-file workers” for 10 to 30 years. In a statement earlier this month, Holcim Philippines said it is “closely coordinating” with contractor Fort Steel “for the immediate resolution of this matter.” — Carmelito Q. Francisco