Introduction
Admittedly now – never before we realized this – unionism in the public sector is really a tough job. As unionists and government functionaries, at the same time, we are required by our principle to exercise utmost fidelity and efficiency in the discharge of our governmental functions and are dictated by the same principle to manage the affairs of the union, full time. Thus, a question readily emerges: “ Do red-blooded unionists have still time for self fulfillment and for their families?”
Our brothers and sisters, who are traveling along the path of arms in the pursuit of their aspirations, choose not to give any answer to this question. For them, the question is erroneously framed as it is intended to deplete the altruistic fervors of a revolutionary and, therefore, there is no logic that could convincingly rationalize the bases for such questions. For them too, it is wholly irrational for one to ask such a question for the answer to it has long existed before the same question has found its way into the mind. For them still, asking a question on something, which has already been long answered, is a handiwork of a fool.
We, who have chosen a less dangerous arena in the pursuit of own aspirations, feel that, while we do not consider such question to be irrational, we should not attempt to answer the same question. Indeed, answering such a question is anathema to the psyche of a unionist. It weakens his/her mind; it warps his/her view of the future; and it dampens his/her resolve to continue, to explore new things and trek along the rugged, at times, tricky contours of the bureaucracy and society.
The job even becomes tougher when one is tasked to take cake of the affairs of a sub-sector federation, like the LGUP, in addition to his/her duty in the local government, in the local union. Under these circumstances, the above-mentioned question becomes even much sweeter to ask but , jut the same, we will not dare ask that question.
Meantime, it is enough, at this juncture, that we have graphically described the subjective realities affecting the pursuit of our organizational tasks, and all other factors that serve as obstacles as we continue to write our story on the canvass which we have chose for ourselves.
We. Then, expect that if what we have done is not enough to satisfy the expectations of our comrades, at least, they can lend us their charitable understanding.
Scope of the Report
The report covers the period from 2003 to 2006. It presents, in summary, the activities, which LGUP has undertaken within the period. The report of activities is broken down into two: One summary of center-based activities (meaning activities undertaken directly by the LGUP as a sub-sector federation participated by various LGUP-related activities undertaken by local unions and participated by their local members).
In this report, we will also attempt to situate the LGUP in the seemingly frontierless political landscape where it operates and the role it plays in the shaping of such landscape. We will also attempt to analyze how the LGUP fares in its engagement with other forces bidding for the control of various local government bureaucracies and the employees’ organizations operating within these bureaucracies.
Sources of Data Information and Standard of Accuracy
1. Sources of Data
We would like to stress here that this report does state, in perfect mathematical precision, all activities that have been undertaken. Mainly, this report contains a consolidation of data and information that are available in our files, those who have been reported by LGUP’s working committees and its local organizational members and those that were able to recall from memory. Activities of LGUP local coordinators that are not considered in this work for a reason that they are yet to be formally reported will be considered as addendum to this report after this convention.
2. Standard of Accuracy
The report is not perfectly accurate but it approximates the given realities. This standard of accuracy is what social statisticians (statisticians working with the social movement) call as proportionate accuracy – not perfect but very near to objective realities.
General Assessment of Local State’s Instruments – the local governments
Largely, if not all, local governments remain to be under the control of the elite, represented by wealthy clans or their agents who wield both economic and political powers. Thus, capitalist policies continue to characterize the governance in these localities. And as long as the capitalist forces dominate the political life of the local government bureaucracy, threats against unionism in the public sector continue to hand like Swords of Damocles above the heads of local government unions and of union leaders.
It is our contention that the pursuit of LGUP’s agenda calling for the support of people and progressive political leaders purposely, we guess, to free local government bureaucracy from the control of capitalist forces is yet to create a dent in the vast political canvass of the bureaucracy. We believe that such an arena of work is yet to happily sit with out current psyche of LGUP. We do not also have the subjective forces to mainstream such organizational task.
This subject matter is an area of discourse that the future leaders of the LGUP, and the CIU, most importantly, should take cognizance of. We need to still subject this to deeper discussion, but, allow us this time to express a view that public sectors unions cannot, at all times, become indifferent to power agenda; lest, we become participants to the empowerment of our enemies.
At this juncture, however, we can only hope that we are already resolved to the idea that it is the primordial task of public sector unions to intervene in political reforms as a means to serve the welfare of whole society and to create a favorable climate for the public sector unions. In this way, we can pedal speedily towards certain social aspirations we democratically allocate for ourselves.
Temperance of an unbridled Exercise of State Power
Yes, we still have a very long way to go. But his does not mean that we have not found any reason for our existence. The logic of our being is clear: local government bureaucracies could have been worst without us. The elite-controlled bureaucracy could have been more rapacious, could have been more frustrating had we failed to organize.
While we are yet to effectively intervene in the reform and eventual transformation of the bureaucracy, we have succeeded to temper local state’s instruments and their respective coercive apparatuses. In a way, with our presence, local government administrations are prevented from unleashing their fury against the interest of state workers.
But, of course, it would be very dangerous to take comfort on this achievement for what we have is a fragile balance that can be easily tipped off anytime in favor of local political power wielders, which are more capacitated to sustain their power offensives.
We should not only speed up the pursuit of our tasks necessary for organizational development but we should not also falter in our resolve to create intellectuals amongst us-our organizational cadres – so that we may be able to catch up in the contest of ideas and theory-making. In the end, those who have better ideas win the battle.
A Continuing Tug-of-War Among Progressive Forces in the Bureaucracy
We hope that this is not true in all localities. However, our analysis of social forces in the bureaucracy shows those conflicts within the same bureaucracy are not only confined between the local political power wielders and the local public sector unions. The greater conflict is between and among progressive (leftist) forces bidding to take control of the employee’s organizations in the localities. We should remember that we are not alone in this job. We are embroiled in a continuing tug-of-war against organizations and forces belonging to other political groups, both armed and unarmed.
We are witnesses to difficult, at times, dangerous struggles of our local organizations in defense of our own turfs. We are witnesses as to how many of us succeeded to fortify our territories against the onslaughts of our competitors. We are also witnesses as to how some of us had miserably failed. General Santos City has been a battleground for this and our enemies are yet to succeed but until when we can hold the handles, only time and the unfolding circumstances could tell.
But we are doing everything we cab do to strengthen our line of defenses against the beatings of the extreme left and the combined forces of the moderate and extreme right, all bidding for the control of the bureaucracy. These forces are representing either traditional parties or leftist organizations aligned to an underground organization, batting not only for the seizure of government unions but of the state, in the larger sense.]
We do not intend to create a situation where we are supplanted by larger organizations in terms of decision-makings. But realities on the ground call for local unions and even the LGUP to expand and strengthen their respective alliances with likeminded parties and organizations. In doing this, it is primarily important to us to preserve the dignity and freedom of our local formations by ensuring adherence to the principle of subsidiarity – meaning that our cooperative ventures with our networks and alliances should not, in any way, intervene in our internal democracy.
Unarguably, this is necessary in the fortification of LGUP and its local organizational members from the attacks of other social forces.
Our Specific Marks in the Pursuit of our Organizational Goals
The geographical spread of the LGUP is steadily expanding in a much faster pace. Its 1,689 organizational members are spreading across 79 provinces, 114 cities and 1,469 municipalities. It has a total members of 16,776, which of this, 14,103 are dues paying. Dues paying members are coming from 53 local unions, of which, 6 are coming from Luzon (619 members); 15 from the Visayas (5,987 members); and 32 from Mindanao (7,597memebrs).
Today, LGUP comprises 70% of dues paying members under the umbrella of the CIU.
The following are the activities undertaken by the LGUP and its area coordinators, comprising of center-based and local-based activities.
For purposes of organizational directions, the LGUP and its local structures have conducted its strategic planning session and annual action planning sessions. All in all, they have conducted 44 meetings to assess the implementation of its plan and to design necessary responses to certain conjunctures.
The LGUP and its local affiliates have also conducted 14 human resource development seminars and trainings for the purpose of developing itself organizationally and enhance the knowledge and the skills of its officers and members. It has also conducted 13 forums to enable its officers and members to understand the prevailing social situations and to further comprehend the workings of the bureaucracy and its role to the people and society. Understanding of the social situation and the state is necessary for the effective governance of the LGUP.
It has also conducted and/or facilitated, some through its local affiliates, the conduct of Forty Nine (49) Basic Orientation Seminars (BOS) to various organizations in the different localities, which had previously signified an intention to be affiliated with the LGUP, One (1) Basic Organizing Training (BOT), One (1) Trainors’ Training and has also undertaken Nine (9) local visitations and an exploratory mission in neighboring towns, this is for the purpose of knowing their organizational situations and concerns of these municipalities.
To enable LGUP members to internalize the concept of unionism in the public sector, LGUP, again though its affiliates, conducted six (6) refresher courses in different provinces and municipalities.
Three (3) sports activities were also held recently to enable LGUP officers and members to recharge their batteries for the work ahead to enhance the spirit of oneness among the officers and members of the LGUP. However, these sports activities were only confined to the officers and members of the LGUP in the SOCKSARGEN area.
Six (6) Various conferences and congresses were also held to discuss certain issues, iron out some problems and to decide on some urgent matters, internal and highlight some best practices in public sector unionism.
Four (4) types of outreach projects (medical, dental, hygiene related treatments and relief) for the unfortunate sections of society were also implemented in the name of the sub-sector federation.
To promote some of the union activities and to popularize relevant organizational and social issues, three (3) press conferences were also held.
A stage-play featuring relevant issues was also publicly exhibited in line with the organization’s public service program.
To preserve the institutional memory of LGUP and its members organizations, we undertook the packaging and publication of the following:
1. Compilation of union manual of operations and profile;
2. Compilation of LGU’s Collective Negotiation Agreements (CNA’s);
3. Compilation of Constitution and By-Laws;
4. Documentation Reports of LGUP’s Best Practices;
5. Gender Awareness Seminar Facilitators’ Guide;
6. Basic Educators’ Training Module;
7. Documentation of Trainings and Workshops; and
8. Documentation of Planning Workshops.
Conclusion
So many things have already been done. There are still so many things to do. We came blazing, confident of what we do and convinced with the nationality and importance of our social aspirations. Today, there is no more way left for us to travel along-the road towards our dreams. Let us continue. Let us begin.
Admittedly now – never before we realized this – unionism in the public sector is really a tough job. As unionists and government functionaries, at the same time, we are required by our principle to exercise utmost fidelity and efficiency in the discharge of our governmental functions and are dictated by the same principle to manage the affairs of the union, full time. Thus, a question readily emerges: “ Do red-blooded unionists have still time for self fulfillment and for their families?”
Our brothers and sisters, who are traveling along the path of arms in the pursuit of their aspirations, choose not to give any answer to this question. For them, the question is erroneously framed as it is intended to deplete the altruistic fervors of a revolutionary and, therefore, there is no logic that could convincingly rationalize the bases for such questions. For them too, it is wholly irrational for one to ask such a question for the answer to it has long existed before the same question has found its way into the mind. For them still, asking a question on something, which has already been long answered, is a handiwork of a fool.
We, who have chosen a less dangerous arena in the pursuit of own aspirations, feel that, while we do not consider such question to be irrational, we should not attempt to answer the same question. Indeed, answering such a question is anathema to the psyche of a unionist. It weakens his/her mind; it warps his/her view of the future; and it dampens his/her resolve to continue, to explore new things and trek along the rugged, at times, tricky contours of the bureaucracy and society.
The job even becomes tougher when one is tasked to take cake of the affairs of a sub-sector federation, like the LGUP, in addition to his/her duty in the local government, in the local union. Under these circumstances, the above-mentioned question becomes even much sweeter to ask but , jut the same, we will not dare ask that question.
Meantime, it is enough, at this juncture, that we have graphically described the subjective realities affecting the pursuit of our organizational tasks, and all other factors that serve as obstacles as we continue to write our story on the canvass which we have chose for ourselves.
We. Then, expect that if what we have done is not enough to satisfy the expectations of our comrades, at least, they can lend us their charitable understanding.
Scope of the Report
The report covers the period from 2003 to 2006. It presents, in summary, the activities, which LGUP has undertaken within the period. The report of activities is broken down into two: One summary of center-based activities (meaning activities undertaken directly by the LGUP as a sub-sector federation participated by various LGUP-related activities undertaken by local unions and participated by their local members).
In this report, we will also attempt to situate the LGUP in the seemingly frontierless political landscape where it operates and the role it plays in the shaping of such landscape. We will also attempt to analyze how the LGUP fares in its engagement with other forces bidding for the control of various local government bureaucracies and the employees’ organizations operating within these bureaucracies.
Sources of Data Information and Standard of Accuracy
1. Sources of Data
We would like to stress here that this report does state, in perfect mathematical precision, all activities that have been undertaken. Mainly, this report contains a consolidation of data and information that are available in our files, those who have been reported by LGUP’s working committees and its local organizational members and those that were able to recall from memory. Activities of LGUP local coordinators that are not considered in this work for a reason that they are yet to be formally reported will be considered as addendum to this report after this convention.
2. Standard of Accuracy
The report is not perfectly accurate but it approximates the given realities. This standard of accuracy is what social statisticians (statisticians working with the social movement) call as proportionate accuracy – not perfect but very near to objective realities.
General Assessment of Local State’s Instruments – the local governments
Largely, if not all, local governments remain to be under the control of the elite, represented by wealthy clans or their agents who wield both economic and political powers. Thus, capitalist policies continue to characterize the governance in these localities. And as long as the capitalist forces dominate the political life of the local government bureaucracy, threats against unionism in the public sector continue to hand like Swords of Damocles above the heads of local government unions and of union leaders.
It is our contention that the pursuit of LGUP’s agenda calling for the support of people and progressive political leaders purposely, we guess, to free local government bureaucracy from the control of capitalist forces is yet to create a dent in the vast political canvass of the bureaucracy. We believe that such an arena of work is yet to happily sit with out current psyche of LGUP. We do not also have the subjective forces to mainstream such organizational task.
This subject matter is an area of discourse that the future leaders of the LGUP, and the CIU, most importantly, should take cognizance of. We need to still subject this to deeper discussion, but, allow us this time to express a view that public sectors unions cannot, at all times, become indifferent to power agenda; lest, we become participants to the empowerment of our enemies.
At this juncture, however, we can only hope that we are already resolved to the idea that it is the primordial task of public sector unions to intervene in political reforms as a means to serve the welfare of whole society and to create a favorable climate for the public sector unions. In this way, we can pedal speedily towards certain social aspirations we democratically allocate for ourselves.
Temperance of an unbridled Exercise of State Power
Yes, we still have a very long way to go. But his does not mean that we have not found any reason for our existence. The logic of our being is clear: local government bureaucracies could have been worst without us. The elite-controlled bureaucracy could have been more rapacious, could have been more frustrating had we failed to organize.
While we are yet to effectively intervene in the reform and eventual transformation of the bureaucracy, we have succeeded to temper local state’s instruments and their respective coercive apparatuses. In a way, with our presence, local government administrations are prevented from unleashing their fury against the interest of state workers.
But, of course, it would be very dangerous to take comfort on this achievement for what we have is a fragile balance that can be easily tipped off anytime in favor of local political power wielders, which are more capacitated to sustain their power offensives.
We should not only speed up the pursuit of our tasks necessary for organizational development but we should not also falter in our resolve to create intellectuals amongst us-our organizational cadres – so that we may be able to catch up in the contest of ideas and theory-making. In the end, those who have better ideas win the battle.
A Continuing Tug-of-War Among Progressive Forces in the Bureaucracy
We hope that this is not true in all localities. However, our analysis of social forces in the bureaucracy shows those conflicts within the same bureaucracy are not only confined between the local political power wielders and the local public sector unions. The greater conflict is between and among progressive (leftist) forces bidding to take control of the employee’s organizations in the localities. We should remember that we are not alone in this job. We are embroiled in a continuing tug-of-war against organizations and forces belonging to other political groups, both armed and unarmed.
We are witnesses to difficult, at times, dangerous struggles of our local organizations in defense of our own turfs. We are witnesses as to how many of us succeeded to fortify our territories against the onslaughts of our competitors. We are also witnesses as to how some of us had miserably failed. General Santos City has been a battleground for this and our enemies are yet to succeed but until when we can hold the handles, only time and the unfolding circumstances could tell.
But we are doing everything we cab do to strengthen our line of defenses against the beatings of the extreme left and the combined forces of the moderate and extreme right, all bidding for the control of the bureaucracy. These forces are representing either traditional parties or leftist organizations aligned to an underground organization, batting not only for the seizure of government unions but of the state, in the larger sense.]
We do not intend to create a situation where we are supplanted by larger organizations in terms of decision-makings. But realities on the ground call for local unions and even the LGUP to expand and strengthen their respective alliances with likeminded parties and organizations. In doing this, it is primarily important to us to preserve the dignity and freedom of our local formations by ensuring adherence to the principle of subsidiarity – meaning that our cooperative ventures with our networks and alliances should not, in any way, intervene in our internal democracy.
Unarguably, this is necessary in the fortification of LGUP and its local organizational members from the attacks of other social forces.
Our Specific Marks in the Pursuit of our Organizational Goals
The geographical spread of the LGUP is steadily expanding in a much faster pace. Its 1,689 organizational members are spreading across 79 provinces, 114 cities and 1,469 municipalities. It has a total members of 16,776, which of this, 14,103 are dues paying. Dues paying members are coming from 53 local unions, of which, 6 are coming from Luzon (619 members); 15 from the Visayas (5,987 members); and 32 from Mindanao (7,597memebrs).
Today, LGUP comprises 70% of dues paying members under the umbrella of the CIU.
The following are the activities undertaken by the LGUP and its area coordinators, comprising of center-based and local-based activities.
For purposes of organizational directions, the LGUP and its local structures have conducted its strategic planning session and annual action planning sessions. All in all, they have conducted 44 meetings to assess the implementation of its plan and to design necessary responses to certain conjunctures.
The LGUP and its local affiliates have also conducted 14 human resource development seminars and trainings for the purpose of developing itself organizationally and enhance the knowledge and the skills of its officers and members. It has also conducted 13 forums to enable its officers and members to understand the prevailing social situations and to further comprehend the workings of the bureaucracy and its role to the people and society. Understanding of the social situation and the state is necessary for the effective governance of the LGUP.
It has also conducted and/or facilitated, some through its local affiliates, the conduct of Forty Nine (49) Basic Orientation Seminars (BOS) to various organizations in the different localities, which had previously signified an intention to be affiliated with the LGUP, One (1) Basic Organizing Training (BOT), One (1) Trainors’ Training and has also undertaken Nine (9) local visitations and an exploratory mission in neighboring towns, this is for the purpose of knowing their organizational situations and concerns of these municipalities.
To enable LGUP members to internalize the concept of unionism in the public sector, LGUP, again though its affiliates, conducted six (6) refresher courses in different provinces and municipalities.
Three (3) sports activities were also held recently to enable LGUP officers and members to recharge their batteries for the work ahead to enhance the spirit of oneness among the officers and members of the LGUP. However, these sports activities were only confined to the officers and members of the LGUP in the SOCKSARGEN area.
Six (6) Various conferences and congresses were also held to discuss certain issues, iron out some problems and to decide on some urgent matters, internal and highlight some best practices in public sector unionism.
Four (4) types of outreach projects (medical, dental, hygiene related treatments and relief) for the unfortunate sections of society were also implemented in the name of the sub-sector federation.
To promote some of the union activities and to popularize relevant organizational and social issues, three (3) press conferences were also held.
A stage-play featuring relevant issues was also publicly exhibited in line with the organization’s public service program.
To preserve the institutional memory of LGUP and its members organizations, we undertook the packaging and publication of the following:
1. Compilation of union manual of operations and profile;
2. Compilation of LGU’s Collective Negotiation Agreements (CNA’s);
3. Compilation of Constitution and By-Laws;
4. Documentation Reports of LGUP’s Best Practices;
5. Gender Awareness Seminar Facilitators’ Guide;
6. Basic Educators’ Training Module;
7. Documentation of Trainings and Workshops; and
8. Documentation of Planning Workshops.
Conclusion
So many things have already been done. There are still so many things to do. We came blazing, confident of what we do and convinced with the nationality and importance of our social aspirations. Today, there is no more way left for us to travel along-the road towards our dreams. Let us continue. Let us begin.
Restituto "Jong" Facurib
LGUP National President
