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Victory is on the horizon!
This is how the United Luisita Workers Union (ULWU) and the Central Azucarera de Tarlac Labor Union (CATLU) define the exploratory talks that occurred between them and the Cojuangco-Aquino family last Jan 28. The exploratory talks between the two parties happened in Angeles City, breaking long months of impasse in the labor conflict that resulted to a massacre that killed at least seven people.
The talks led to today’s formal negotiations between the Cojuangco-Aquino family and the two striking unions of Hacienda Luisita. Originally, the formal negotiation was set last Jan. 31, 2005 but was moved to Feb. 1 and then moved again for today.
This recent development was brought about by strong local and international pressure on the government and the Cojuangco-Aquino family to act positively on the issues and demands being raised by the workers and agricultural workers of Hacienda Luisita, starting with holding negotiations with legitimate leaders of the two striking unions.
At the local level, the support for Hacienda Luisita got further boost with the issuance of a pastoral letter by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines calling for justice for the victims of the November 16, 2005 massacre and for a peaceful settlement of the labor dispute.
At the international level, at least 5,000 people and organizations have expressed support to the struggle of the Hacienda Luisita workers and send protest letters addressed to Pres. Arroyo, Cojuangco-Aquino family, various government agencies and police and military agencies.
On Jan 24, Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo finally stepped into the row and urged both the Hacienda Luisita management and the striking workers to sit down and work for a “peaceful resolution” to their problem.
ULWU and CATLU claims the exploratory talk is highly significant for the following reasons:
· The exploratory talks was the first ever meeting of both sides involved in the bitter labor dispute conducted outside the jurisdiction of the Department of Labor and Employment
· While no agreement has yet been reached on the substantial issues of the labor conflict, Pres. Arroyo herself guaranteed that no dispersal will take place in the picket lines of the striking workers through phone calls she made personally to the leaders of the striking unions on the day of the meeting
· The Cojuangco family formally negotiates with the legitimate union leaders Rene Galang, ULWU president, and Ricardo Ramos, CATLU president
But while there is already a formal negotiation, ULWU and CATLU maintains that the strike will continue until substantial demands are met. The two unions said they will not abandon their picket lines and will continue to militantly maintain and further strengthen it, as it is “our main source of bargaining strength in our negotiations with the Cojuangco family.”
ULWU and CATLU decried the statements of the Philippine National Police (PNP) that the Gate 1 of the Central Azucarera de Tarlac (CAT) has already been opened and that only about a hundred strikers are maintaining the picket lines. In truth, the strikers have set up additional strike areas around Hacienda Luisita. They are now maintaining and keeping guard of 18 choke points in the area.
At the same time, the unions condemned the declaration of the Northern Luzon Command on January 22, 2005 that the problem in Hacienda Luisita has become a ‘matter of national security.’ They expressed alarm that such statement could be a “prelude to intensified militarization in Hacienda Luisita and forebodes nothing but more violence that may be inflicted on the ranks of the poor and powerless people of the hacienda.”
At this stage, we enjoin all of our friends in the local and international network to continue their support to the struggle of the workers and agricultural workers in Hacienda Luisita for jobs, wages, benefits and better working conditions.
Chronology of the past weeks, as provided by ULWU-CATLU:
January 22- The Northern Luzon Command declares Hacienda Luisita issue a ‘matter of national security’
January 23- The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines issues Pastoral Letter calling for justice for the victims of the November 16 confrontation and for a peaceful settlement of the labor dispute
January 25- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo issues statement likewise calling for a peaceful settlement of the issue
January 26- CATLU president Ricardo Ramos and ULWU president Rene Galang writes letters to CBCP president Bishop Capalla expressing gratitude for the issuance of the Pastoral Letter and seeking assistance for the peaceful settlement of the labor dispute
January 27- More than 3,000 hacienda residents attend Holy Mass celebrated at the picket line in Gate 1 of the sugar mill. Rev. Father Ramon V. Capuno celebrates the mass and calls for unity and peace in Hacienda Luisita.
Union leaders Ricardo Ramos and Rene Galang writes letters to Rev. Fr. Ramon Capuno expressing gratitude for his efforts to help the workers and the people of Hacienda Luisita and requesting him to act as mediator in the negotiations with the Cojuangco family
January 28- Formal negotiations start in Angeles City. As agreed upon by both parties, negotiations will resume on Tuesday, January 31, 2005 at the Barangay Central Parish church compound.
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