ALU fires Herrera for double-dealing, asked to return 535K salaries and allowances

By Associated Labor Unions (ALU)
May 7, 2012

QUEZON CITY  –  The Associated Labor Unions (ALU), the biggest confederation of private and public sector labor unions in the country, yesterday announced that it has retroactively fired ex-Sen. Ernesto Herrera for double-dealing.

The announcement was made after the ALU is receiving reports that Herrera himself was representing ALU-Metal in soliciting funds from ALU foreign and local affiliates and partners despite being sacked since March 7 this year.

“The ALU announces today that Mr. Herrera, effective March 2012, is no longer connected with the organization. We would like to inform the public that he is no longer connected with ALU. Thus, any representation by him or in behalf of Mr. Herrera using ALU or ALU-Metal is not authorized by the organization,” said Alan Tanjusay, ALU Policy Advocacy Officer.

Mr. Herrera has been with the ALU for 43 years. He started as a industrial relations officer in 1968. Recently he was receiving salary and allowances from us (ALU) as Senior Vice President. But he was forced to admit in November 2011 and was discovered at the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) that he was also president of another federation all at the same time for fifteen months.

“These actions are the highest form of disloyalty. These acts are gross violation of work and professional ethics. That is why he was fired,” added Tanjusay.

In the letter of ALU to Herrera dated March 7, it said that: “During the November 18, 2011 TUCP General Council meeting, you disclosed for the first time that you are the president of AMAPO (Alyansa ng Manggagawa at Pilipinong Organisado, a small labor federation) and that you represent it in the said council. The representatives of ALU were surprised to hear about it since you have been representing in the TUCP the ALU-Metal, one of the industry unions affiliated with TUCP.”

“Your transfer to, and membership in AMAPO without the knowledge, consent, and approval of the ALU-Metal, its Board and executive officers is tantamount to conflict of interest and betrayal of trust and confidence reposed on you by the ALU-Metal, its Board and executive officers, and even in the general membership of the Union. This is a desecration of the integrity not only of ALU but the TUCP as well,” the letter also said.

“Further, you continuously collect your salary from ALU-Metal even when you are already with AMAPO being its president since September 2010. In view thereof, we have no recourse but to consider you and your services terminated from ALU/ALU-Metal retroactive September 15, 2010, the date you were elected and became president of another organization,” the letter added.

Tanjusay said: “In effect, the ALU is asking Mr. Herrera to return the salaries and allowances he got from September 2010 to November 2011 – which is about 535,000 pesos. This also means he was dishonourably terminated and will not be able to get any benefits or back pay.”