CONCEPTS AND

PHILOSOPHY OF
UNIONISM
 What is a union?

 A union is an expression of workers unity towards

change and development.

 A permanent organization freely and voluntarily

formed by workers themselves to protect the rights
and advance the interests of its members
concerning wages, benefits and working
conditions.
 What is a union?

 Union is the manifestation of workers solidarity

and commitment to social responsibility.

 An organization of people employed in a

particular type of work, formed to protect and
promote their common interests.
 What is a union?
 An organization of employees formed to
bargain with the employer.

 As per Labor Code, the term organization,

association, union, society, club are used
interchangeably.
PRINCIPLES OF
UNIONISM
Principles of Unionism

1. Democracy

There should be space for each and every

member to participate in all important
processes and issues in union’s life.
Principles of Unionism

2. Independence

1. Union must be free from the control of external

forces (employers, government, church, political
parties, etc.);
2. It must be able to decide by and for itself according
to its decision-making processes; and
3. Unions should also be self-reliant in terms of
human and material resources.
Principles of Unionism

3. Unity
1. Unions could be stronger through forging unity
among themselves and with like-minded
organizations fighting for genuine social
transformation; and
2. Unions should be the source of power that shield
them from the built-in political, economic and social
advantages of employers.
Principles of Unionism

4. Solidarity

Unions could be stronger by forging unity

among unions at the local, national and
international level.
Principles of Unionism

5. Gender Equality

A genuine union should create venues where

both men and women can actively
participate in various level of union life.
Principles of Unionism

6. Militance

The main strength of union lies in the collective

actions of its members that should be
manifested with intensity, coupled with
assertive vigilance and sober judgment.
Principles of Unionism

7. Responsibility

1. Workers are accountable not only to their

sector but to society itself; and

2. Responsible unionism means tempered

and sober use of worker’s rights.
 What You Should Know
About Responsible Public
Sector Unionism
Legal Bases for Unionism in the Public Sector
(National Laws)

 Right to self-organization
• 1987 Constitution:
 Sec 8, Art III Bill of Rights
 Sec 2 (5), Art IXB Constitutional
Commission
 Sec 3 par 2, Art XIII Social Justice &
Human Rights
• EO 180
• PSLMC Rules & Regulations – July 28, 1988
Legal Bases for Unionism in the Public Sector
(National Laws)
 Protection of the Right to Organize
• EO 180, Sec 5
 Right to Independence
• EO 180, Sec 6
 Scope of Civil Service
• 1987 Constitution, Sec 2 (1), Art IXB
 Policy directions: labor education program and
strike dispute settlement
• CSC Resolution No. 89-204, March 21, 1989
Legal Bases for Unionism in the Public Sector
(International Laws)
 Right to self-organization
• Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Art 23
(1,2,4)
• ILO Convention No. 151 “Labour Relations
(Public Service) Convention” 1978
 Protection of the right to organize
Right to independence
Right to appropriate facilities
• ILO Convention No. 98 “Right to Organize &
Collective Bargaining Convention” 1949
Legal Bases for Unionism in the Public Sector
(International Laws)

 Promotion of collective bargaining

• ILO Convention No. 154 Art 5-2a
“Collective Bargaining Convention”
1981
Definition of a Legitimate
Public Sector Union

 any union or association of government

employees which exist in whole and in part for
the purpose of collective negotiations or of
dealing with the employers concerning terms
and conditions of employment not fixed
by law, mutual protection and enhancing their
interest, which is duly registered with the
Department of Labor and Employment and the
Civil Service Commission.
A responsible public sector union is an
organization of government employees’ which…

(a) makes government employees aware not

only of their rights but also of their
responsibilities;
(b) knows not only to make impositions or
demands but also listens to reason;
(c) looks upon management not as rival but as
partner to social and economic progress; and
(d) balances its interests with those of the
management and the agency as a whole.
Principles of Public Sector Unionism

1. Promotion and enhancement of brotherhood

and unity among government workers in the
pursuit of the upliftment of their economic,
social and political welfare.
2. Protection of the Civil Service System from the
inroads of politics.
3. Promotion of the Civil Service System based on
merit and fitness.
4. Commitment to democratic principles.
Objectives of Public Sector Unionism

1. to uplift the socio-economic and political

conditions of public servants
2. to promote high standard of morality in the
public service
3. to protect security of tenure of public servants
4. to promote quality of opportunities for all workers
regardless of sex or creed
5. to enlighten and unite workers into one strong
union
 Minimum requirement on the number of
employees sufficient for registration:

“Section 1 of Rule IV is hereby amended by

reducing the minimum percentage requirement
from 20% to 10% on the number of employees
sufficient for registration…..” (Section 2, PSLMC
Res. No. 1, s. 1989)

GEMS-
Taytay
22/20
Who may join unions in the public sector
All employees of all branches, subdivisions,
instrumentalities and agencies of the
government, including GOCC with original
charters.

Exceptions:
 High level employees whose functions are
normally considered as policy-making or
managerial or whose duties are of a confidential
nature.
 Members of the Armed Forces of the
Philippines, including police officers, policemen,
firemen and jail guards.
Rights of Duly Registered Labor Organizations

1. Right to be certified, subject to the

conditions prescribed in these rules, as
the sole representative or rank-and-file
employees to negotiate for them
2. Right to undertake all other activities not
contrary to law or public policy for the
furtherance and protection of the interest
of its members.
Union Registration
Requirements for Union Registration

1. Registration fee of One Hundred Forty Pesos (P140.00). (Payment through Postal
Money Order shall be in the name of Bureau of Labor Relations.)
2. Application must contain the name with signatures of at least ten percent (10%)
of the employees in the appropriate organizational unit which the applicant-
employee organization seeks to represent and must be accompanied by:
Names and addresses of the officers
 The principal address of the organization
 Minutes of the organizational meeting
 List of employees with their corresponding signatures who participated in the
organizational meeting.
 Four (4) copies of the Constitution and By-laws (CBL) of the applicant
organization
 Minutes of adoption or ratification of CBL
 List of employees who participated in the meeting on adoption/ratification of CBL
 Certification from the Personnel/Administrative Officer as to the total number of
rank and file employees in the agency on which the 10% membership
requirement shall be based
 Copy of financial report/s if the applicant employee organization has been in
existence for one year or more
Sole Bargaining Representative of the
Employees

 the duly registered employees’ organization,

having the support of the majority of the
employees in the appropriate organizational unit
 it may also be accorded voluntary recognition
upon showing that no other employees’
organization is registered or is seeking
registration, based on records of the Bureau of
Labor Relations, and that the said organization
has the majority support of the rank-and-file
employees in the organizational unit.
Union Accreditation
Requirements for Union Accreditation
1. Sworn Petition for Accreditation accompanied by the following documents
1. Accreditation fee of P150.00
2. Certified true copy of agency plantilla of positions
3. Certified true copy of latest approved payroll
4. Resolution signed by the majority of the rank-and-file employees of the
agency expressing support to the union’s accreditation
5. Certification from BLR-DOLE that the employees union seeking accreditation is
the only registered employees organization in the organizational unit and that
no employees union in the same organizational unit is seeking registration
6. Certification from Personnel/Administrative Officer as to the total number of
rank and file employees in the agency, on which the majority support
requirement shall be based
2. Posting of Notice of Petition for Accreditation for 30 calendar days in a
conspicuous place within the premises of the agency (for applicant-union which
have submitted complete documents)
3. Submission to PRO by applicant-union after the 30 day posting period of a Report
on
1. Compliance with posting requirement
2. Presence/absence of opposition to petition
Forms of Action

CSC MC No. 6, 1987 Strike by

Government Employees

CSC MC No. 33, 1994 Rules to Govern

Posting and Hanging of Posters,
Placards, Streamers, and other Similar
Materials
Public Sector Labor-Management
Council (PSLMC)
Composition
1. Chairman of the CSC – as chairman of
the Council; presiding officer over all
sessions of the Council
2. Secretary of the DOLE – as vice-chairman
3. Secretary of the DOJ – as member
4. Secretary of the DBM – as member
5. Secretary of the DOF – as member
“In union there is strength.”