Public sector union with only 10% membership now qualifies for registration

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
September 23, 2010

TACLOBAN CITY  –  Beginning September 1, 2010, an organizational unit would need only at least ten percent (10%) membership out of its total number of rank-and-file employees to be able to apply for registration.

The Public Sector Labor-Management Council has reduced the percentage of membership requirement for the registration of public sector unions through its Resolution Number 4, series of 2010.

The Civil Service Commission (CSC), as Secretariat to the Council, said that lowering the percentage of membership requirement aims to encourage government employees to self-organize.

Since 2004, the PSLMC has required at least thirty percent (30%) membership requirement for registration to avoid fragmentation of employees in small organizational units wherein each faction has an employees’ organization of its own, creating divisiveness and practically diminishing their collective strength.

In a report posted at its website, the CSC said that the PSLMC was created by Executive Order No. 180, which provides the guidelines for the exercise of the right to organize among government employees. Its task is to implement and administer the provisions of said executive order.

The CSC said that public sector unions need to register in order to acquire legal personality, and thus be entitled to the rights and privileges under EO 180.

As of June 30, 2010, there are 1,727 registered public sector unions in the country, the CSC disclosed. Under the 1987 Philippine Constitution, government employees are granted the right to self-organize, or to form, join and assist unions for the advancement and protection of its members’ interests.

The CSC said that public sector unions serve as the collective voice of government employees, adding that they can be a partner of management in the crafting, implementation and monitoring of policies.