In rectification:
A message to the workers of PLDT

Basahin ang artikulong ito sa Pilipino

We wish to correct certain wrong pieces of information contained in a news item on the strike at the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) that appeared in p. 19 of AB's January 2003 issue.

The news item wrongly specified that the strike was spurred by a "CBA deadlock." The real reason behind the strike of December 2002 was the termination of more than 500 regular workers. Management's pretext was that the company had an excessive number of workers. In fact, the layoffs were in accordance with its continuing antiworker policy of contractualization, which it pursues to further bleed the workers dry and increase company profits.

The AB editorial staff likewise criticizes itself for having quoted MKP head Pete Pinlac, as if he were an authority on, and a representative of, the PLDT workers. As is known to the workers of PLDT, Pinlac is a yellow labor leader who is an instrument of management in further oppressing the workers.

In fact, in 2000, Pinlac allowed the inclusion in the CBA of a provision favoring "out-sourcing" and "out-jobbing" that allows PLDT to hire persons other than its regular workers. He was able to do this through his scene-stealing hunger strike that derailed the collective and militant actions then being waged by MKP members.

Pinlac and his group allied with KPD, BMP and AGLO were ill-prepared for the strike last December. Pinlac tailed behind the strike; but instead of helping to consolidate it, he weakened it by smearing progressive union members and blocking their efforts to advance the struggle of the PLDT workers.

The strike failed to block plans to lay off PLDT workers, but the persistence, militancy and spirit of solidarity showed by the workers who advanced their struggle despite obstructive moves by the yellow leader Pinlac, were admirable.

This fighting spirit is a wellspring of strength that will serve the workers well in advancing future struggles against Pinlac and the antiworker schemes of PLDT.

February 2003
English Edition

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	In rectification: A message to the workers of PLDT
	Erratum