An official of the Labor Organization of V-M-C Rural Electric Service Cooperative Employees yesterday said they will require the VRESCO management to enter into a contract with the union for the release of their P11.7 million salary differential.

LOVE director Roberto Antibo told the DAILY STAR yesterday that they want to protect the welfare of their members and want a clear-cut commitment from the management.

We want to ensure that our interest is protected, he said.

Newly-designated VRESCO Board president Ernesto Pilla had earlier said that he has negotiated with the union for the initial release of 50 percent.

Antibo said their proposal is for the National Conciliation and Mediation Board to release half of their claim and then the VRESCO management will issue a post-dated check for the remaining amount.

But we will only agree if VRESCO will shoulder the tax, and will again seek garnishment if they cannot release the amount on time, he said.

Antibo said LOVE president Agustin de los Reyes drafted the contract with their lawyer Edmundo Manlapao and they will present it to the management.

He said they want the contract to be signed in the presence of NCMB voluntary arbitrator Mateo Valenzuela.

The release of the salary differential was delayed when the Court of Appeals, through its 19th Division, issued a temporary restraining order preventing the NCMB from taking further action on the amount garnished from VRESCO for the payment of the amount.

Former VRESCO Board president Jose Alan Leonor had earlier asked the Land Bank of the Philippines Bacolod Branch to hold the payment or clearing of the check, but Pilla said they will file a motion to seek the lifting of the TRO.

Employees of VRESCO filed a case in 1997 demanding similar wage adjustment as their managers and supervisors failed to inform them of the National Electrification Administration circular standardizing the employees of electric cooperatives. Valenzuela had ruled in their favor.*NLG

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