DEFIES SUPREME COURT RULING
Bayer Philippines owes its workers P2.5 M

Bayer Philippines continues to owe its workers an estimated 2.5 million pesos in union dues. The amount, excluding interest, is the sum of all unremitted dues dating back to August 1998.

“We demand our money from the Bayer management,” said Juanito Facundo, President of the Employees Union of Bayer Philippines (EUBP).

In a decision dated November 18, 2002, the First Division of the Supreme Court (SC) ruled with finality that Facundo’s union is the exclusive bargaining representative of all rank and file employees in Bayer Philippines.

The High Court’s judgment makes the union the rightful claimant of dues being deducted by management from the payroll of union members.

The SC upheld an earlier ruling of the Court of Appeals recognizing Facundo’s union as the legitimate organization of Bayer employees. Facundo’s group is affiliated to the Federation of Free Workers.

“Bayer management suddenly stopped negotiating with us and created an illusion that they should be talking to another group of employees instead,” added Facundo.

A few years back, alleging a dispute within the union brewing, Bayer management held in trust the union dues until a “competent authority decides on which union has legitimacy.” They claimed to have done so in good faith.

“The SC has spoken! What authority could be more competent than that?” decried Facundo.

The EUBP-FFW has already issued a demand letter to Bayer Philippines Chief Executive Officer Greg Pangan, last January 3 to no avail. They are awaiting action from Labor and Employment Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas, as well. They have formally asked for her help on January 22.

Facundo represents around 250 rank and file employees of Bayer Philippines.

Bayer, a leading multinational company whose main headquarters are in Germany, is a top manufacturer of insecticides, pharmaceuticals, chemicals and agro-industrial products.

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