WORKERS OF the Central Azucarera de San Antonio (CASA), Inc. in Passi City, Iloilo who were dismissed for staging a strike have lost their case before the National Labor Relations Commission-Western Visayas (NLRC-6). The NLRC ruled that the strike was illegal and the company’s dismissal of 50 sugarcane workers who participated was within the bounds of the law. The CASA Sugar Mill Workers Union’s lawyer, Tranquilino R. Gale, said they will file an appeal to the NLRC commissioners. “They (NLRC-6) have found that the strike was illegal and there were some illegal actions committed during the strike. So the management or the company has the right to dismiss them,” Mr, Gale said. The case stemmed from the complaint of 140 sugar planters in 2017 against CASA’s alleged failure to release their benefits as well as increase their salaries. The company and the union underwent mediation with the National Conciliation and Mediation Board, but failed to reach an amicable settlement. “The company refused to bargain anymore and claimed they will not submit a counterproposal,” Mr. Gale said. — Louine Hope U. Conserva

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