USAEU holds fund-raising project to sustain strike

By Erly C. Garcia

Seeing that they still have a long way in the picket line the striking officers of the  University of San Agustin Employees Union-Federation of Free Workers (USAEU-FFW) have embarked on a fund raising project to sustain their strike.

USAEU-FFW in cooperation with JL Productions will hold a live band concert and fashion show featuring Cool Grey Band and JL Productions' models on October 14, 2005 at Emcor's Bodega area in Smallville Complex, Diversion Road, Iloilo City.

Merlyn Jara, vice-president of USAEU-FFW, said proceeds of the show will go to their 17 striking officers who have stayed in the picket line outside University of San Agustin for five months now.
“It will really be a big help to us because we no longer have income since we were terminated by Fr. (Emmanuel) Vergara last April,” said Jara.

Tickets for the show will be sold at P150.
“We really need funds for our daily needs and medicines,” Jara said. 
Jara said they would seek the help of students of USA to support their cause by buying tickets for the show.

Lily Ann Eslabra of JL Productions said they would be presenting fifteen models to add color to the show.
She said USAEU will not have to pay their models as it is their way of supporting the group's cause.

Jara said they expect to stay longer at the strike area as they have already elevated their case to the Supreme Court.
“We will stay here and wait until the Supreme Court renders its decision,” she said.

Jara lamented that since the recent ruling of the Court of Appeals favoring the USA Administration they have no longer heared anything from Fr. Vergara.

To note, the CA, in August, affirmed its earlier ruling declaring the strike conducted by the USAEU last year illegal.
The said first ruling was Vergara's basis in terminating the union officers.