Dismissed USAEU-FFW officers entrust fate to God

By Erly C. Garcia

From a rather “noisy” protest action the dismissed officers of the University of San Agustin Employees Union – Federation of Free Workers (USAEU-FFW) will now make their protest “solemn.”

The decision came after the group met with Jaro Archbishop Msgr. Angel Lagdameo Wednesday.

Interviewed over Aksyon Radyo, USAEU president Theodore Neil Lasola said after all that they have done they are now entrusting their fate to God.

Lasola said instead of calling the attention of USA president Fr. Manuel Vergara through the public address system installed in their picket line they would just pray for him so that he would be enlightened.

Additionally, Lasola said they would continue with their daily prayer meetings and bible sharing. Every night they would also continue with their candle lighting and praying of the holy rosary.

“We are not losing hope, with God on our side we believe we will triumph,” Lasola said.

Lasola along with sixteen other union officers are calling on Fr. Vergara to reinstate them claiming that their dismissal was illegal since the Court of Appeals ruling was not yet final and executory.

Last week in a dialogue with the students Fr. Vergara maintained that he would not reinstate the dismissed union officers unless the court orders him to do so.

To note, even Msgr. Lagdameo has intervened on the labor problem but he failed to convince Fr. Vergara to reinstate the dismissed employees.

In a related development, Lasola disclosed that Msgr. Lagdameo has brought the matter with the Order of St. Augustine in Rome, Italy.

He said Msgr. Lagdameo informed them that he has written the Order of St. Augustine about their plight.

The protesters have already entered their 109th day in the picket line Thursday.

Several local officials—including Gov. Niel Tupas, Mayor Jerry Treñas—have tried to intervene in order to resolve the conflict but also to no avail.

To recall, the university administration dismissed the 17 union officials following the declaration of the Court of Appeals that they conducted an illegal strike late last year.

The union officials have brought their case with the Supreme Court but the latter has not yet resolved the case.