No representative of the Tanduay Distillers Inc. Bacolod Plant appeared before the hearing set yesterday afternoon by the National Conciliation and Mediation Board on the complaint filed by its contractual workers against the company and their agency, Ponce Engineering Services.

Rey Gorgonio, counsel of the Samahan ng mga Manggagawa sa Tanduay, the union of the contractual workers, said no representatives of Tanduay Distillers Inc., an indispensable party to the labor dispute, attended the conciliation/mediation despite having been notified so there was no settlement.

DAILY STAR could not reach for comment the lawyer who, Gorgonio said, represented the Tanduay management at the previous hearing.

The SMTDI has charged Ponce Engineering, along with Tanduay Distillers Inc., for union-busting and illegal termination.

The union will go on strike anytime, Gorgonio also said.

In a press statement earlier, however, Ponce Engineering said that the contractual workers have no right to hold a strike against Tanduay as they are not employees of the company, and do not have a pending negotiation for collective bargaining agreement.

The agency also said they are not party to union-busting as they believe the workers have the right to organize themselves for their own mutual aid and benefit.*NLG

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