CLOSE THE UNION OR I CLOSE THE FACTORY!

CLOSE THE UNION OR I CLOSE THE FACTORY!

GUPPY UNION FACE THEIR BIGGEST ONSLAUGHTER……

Putrajaya, January 30^th 2003

This morning, a few brave Guppy Union members braved the storm, which was brewing in their factory, to make an emergency appeal to the Minister to intervene and resolve their problem. There were around a dozen workers from Guppy Union. The remaining union members have decided to stay back as their employer has warned them not to join the union and stop paying the union dues. He said that if the workers continued with the union, he would have no choice except to close down the factory.

In the last two days, Guppy shareholder and General manager Eng Kiat Guan confronted Union Chairperson Comrade Koyilvani, " to close down the Union or face hardship". Koyilvani who has been sacked by Guppy in 1998 continued to be reelected as the chairperson in the last four years by the 200 union members. In spite of being shut out of the company gates, Koyilvani's mere presence seems to send shock waves to heart of the capitalis, Guppy Industries Management.

The Manager lost his cool and started shouting at every worker the Union leader seems to talk to. Kovilvani has lodged two police report on behalf of the union on both this incidents.

This morning, the union members, after some initial problems, managed to hand over a memorandum to the Chief Secretary of the Human Resource Ministry Datuk Syed Mohamad Abdul Kadir. A number of policemen and Special Branch officers were seen at the scene feeling very excited.

At the dialogue session, Koyilvani along with other comrades raised several issues and pushed for the Minister to intervene. Matters became more tense when Union IRO officer, Comrade V.Selvam shouted and accused the Ministry for being inefficient and complacent in their work.

The Workers then listed their grievances.

·         The entire Union Leadership in two states has been wiped out by the Employer and the Ministry cannot seem to do anything

·         The judgment of the dismissal case involving Union Leader Koyilvani, Secretary Roshamiza and Treasurer Kaniamah which was to be ready one month from the date of the hearing and submission is delayed now for 22 months. Numerous letters to the relevant authorities has not got any respond.

·         The dismissal case of the Deputy Chairperson Rahimah and Asst. Secretary Visaletchumy and other Union leaders in the Prai division has yet to be referred to the Industrial court

·         Other cases involving Union members have yet to be resolved

·         The Union has seeked recognition in two attempts but there is no reply

The list goes on and on. Koyilvani at one point told the Chief Secretary that she is fed-up because the Ministry is so hopeless and powerless. The Union is being busted right in front their eyes and even after having a registration, the union just cannot move.

The Chief Secretary assured them that he will follow-up. After firing their rage at him, the next target was the Industrial Relations Department where the workers went to lodge a violation under Section 8 of the IRA act on the issue of Employer trying to intervene and close down the Union. Here another commotion erupted when the IRA officer requested Union representative to show authorization letter. V.Selvam exploded and challenged the IRD officer to show where it is stated that he must show an authorization letter. Here once again the Industrial Relations Officer came under heavy fire for not showing urgency in solving the issue.

In what seems to be tough day, the union members walked down the office carrying a banner saying that the Minister must intervene. There was no press to capture this occasion. They came down having fulfilled their task. Even the great monuments and scenic view of Putrajaya failed to soothe the workers disappointment and anger today.

Among one line of argument of the employer is, " I give you'll wages but why do you give RM 3 to the union every month". Why is the Employer so hard on he Union.

The Factory Owners have sacked the Union leaders, didn't recognize the Union and now are threatening to shut down the factory if the Union exist. The very action of the owners clearly demonstrates that they are really terrified with the existence of a Union.

The Union will see tougher days in the next few weeks but they have already won the battle of the hearts. Their employer will never sleep peacefully again knowing the Union is still alive and kicking.

S. Arutchelvan