STILL HOPEFUL
San Ag union officers to elevate case to SC

By Erly C. Garcia

Disappointed with the Court of Appeals (CA) ruling affirming its earlier decision declaring the September 19, 2003 strike conducted by the University of San Agutin Employees Union (USAEU-FFW) illegal, the union would elevate the case to the Supreme Court.

As dark as night, this well describes the fate of the dismissed employees of the University of San Agustin who continue to mass up in front of the university.

Theodore Niel Lasola, USAEU-FFW president, said they are unhappy with the latest CA ruling however they respect the decision.

The CA in its patially amended decision dated August 23, 2005 affirmed its March 4, 2005 ruling declaring the strike held by USAEU-FFW last September 19, 2003 illegal.

“(Wherefore), in view of all the foregoing premises, an amended judgment is hereby rendered by us GRANTING the petition for certiorari, SETTING ASIDE also the Decision rendered by the public respondent SOLE (Secretary of Labor and Employment) on April 6, 2004 and DECLARING the strike held on September 19, 2003 by respondent Union as ILLEGAL. The union officers are therefore deemed to have lost their employment status,” reads the dispositive portion of the CA ruling.

Though a bit disappointed with the CA decision, Lasola said their group would resort to legal procedures in order to achieve justice. He said they would appeal the CA decision with the Supreme Court.

Lasola added the CA decision would not prevent them from continuing with their protest outside the University of San Agustin (USA) Campus.

Their group had been massing up in front of the university for more than three months now.

Lasola maintained their termination from the university was illegal since the CA's March 4, 2005 decision was not yet final and executory.

Aside from Lasola other terminated employees are: Flaviano Manalo, Rene Cabalum, Ma. Luz Calzado, Ray Anthony Zuñiga, Rizalene Villanueva, Rudante Dolar, Merlyn Jara, Monalisa Bautista, Ma. Connie Alger, Mximo Montero, Apolbin de Asis, Rover John Tavaro, Alfredo Goriona, Julius Mario, John Mirasol, Hermenigildo Calzado, Danilo Lee Pac Hee, Nelza Laurea and Rene Lete.

“The truth has finally come out: The University of San Agustin had the right to terminate the union officers and serve them notices of termination of employment. In a addition, the University of San Agustin did not engage in union busting as again misrepresented by these dismissed union officers,” reads the USA Administration statement relative to the new CA decision released to the media late Wednesday.

Further it added: “...the University of San Agustin and the Augustinian Community call for sobriety and respect for the rule of law, both civil and canon. We also reiterate our position that only after justice has been served can charity and reconciliation follow. We manifest our willingness and readiness to discuss with the dismissed union officers possible arrangements with the view of helping them get on with their lives beyond the University of San Agustin.”

In an interview with John Paul Tia's “Firing Line” radio program over Aksyon Radyo Iloilo Wednesday night, USA President Fr. Manuel Vergara maintained that the protesting officers would no longer get the chance of being reinstated in the university.

He said if ever there would be a dialog between the university administration and the dismissed union officers it would only be focused on economic issues or the possible monetary claims and benefits due the latter.