Vintage Printing Press

Old Ohio-made printing press, still used to number pages at a printer's shop in Tlalnepantla, Mexico (This video clip has no audio).

Philippine Star Printing Press

www.philstar.com (The Filipino Global Community)

Daily Herald-A Local Newspaper Business Operation

Daily Herald newspaper, printing press, editor, inside interview, renegade video, on-line newspaper, renegade video business operation.

Forms of Harassment

• Asserting Your Rights in the Workplace
  Learn how to handle a conflict with your employer to protect your rights and get results.
  
  Depending on the size of your employer, the state in which you live, and your profession, you may be entitled to certain legal protections in the workplace, including:
  the right not to be discriminated against on the basis of your race, national origin, skin color, gender, pregnancy, religious beliefs, disability, or age (and in some places, marital status or sexual orientation)
  the right to a workplace free of harassment
  the right to be paid at least the minimum wage, and an overtime premium for any hours worked over forty in one week (or, in some places, over eight hours in one day)
  the right to a safe workplace
  the right to take leave to care for your own or a family member's serious illness, or following the birth or adoption of a child, and
  the right to some privacy in personal matters.
  Nolo's online articles on employee rights explain these rights in detail. But once you have figured out that your legal rights may have been violated, what should you do about it? Here are several steps you can take to assert your legal rights.
  1. Talk to Your Employer
  The first thing to do is talk to your employer. An intelligent discussion can resolve most wrongs, or at least get your differences out on the table. Most companies want to stay within the law and avoid legal tangles. Unless you work for a truly uncaring and antagonistic employer, chances are that your problem is the result of an oversight, a misunderstanding or a lack of legal knowledge.
  Here are a few tips on how to present your concerns to your employer:
  Know your rights. The more you know about your legal rights in the workplace, the more confident you will be in presenting your problem.
  Stick to the facts. Before meeting with your employer, write a brief summary of what has gone wrong and your recommendation for resolving the problem. It might help to have someone more objective, such as a friend or family member, review the facts and brainstorm with you about possible resolutions. Make sure not to leave any important facts out.
  Don't be overly emotional. Dealing with a workplace problem can be stressful, but unfounded accusations and emotional outbursts won't help you get your point across. Practice your presentation ahead of time to make sure you can remain professional and calm.
  Decide the next steps. Before finishing your discussion with your employer, come to some agreement with your boss as to what will happen next. Will the company investigate the problem? Will your boss talk to your coworkers or supervisor? Will evaluations, job responsibilities, or reporting relationships be changed?
  2. Follow Up With Your Employer
  Once you have spoken to your employer, make sure to follow up on the meeting. If your employer promised to investigate the matter or talk to other employees, check back to find out the status of those actions. After a few weeks have passed, schedule another meeting with your employer to discuss what progress has been made in resolving your problem.
  3. Document the Problem
  If talking things over with your employer does not resolve the dispute, or if your employment situation seems to be headed downhill, protect yourself by gathering documentation. Take notes of key conversations and events, including the time, date, and names of others who were present. Gather documents that might support your side of the story, such as company policies, offer letters, performance reviews, memoranda, correspondence ,or employee handbooks.
  Be careful, however, to collect only those documents you have legitimate access to. Taking or copying confidential documents -- even if they are related to your dispute -- could get you fired and could compromise your legal claims.
  If your coworkers saw or heard any of the incidents that contributed to the problem (such as a verbal performance review, a harassing comment, or a search of your workspace), ask them to write down what they saw and heard in signed, dated statements.
  4. Don't Miss Legal Deadlines
  If your employer doesn't seem to be taking your complaint seriously, or you are demoted or fired, you will have to consider whether to take legal action. The law sets deadlines (often called "statutes of limitations") for filing certain types of claims or lawsuits, ranging from several weeks to several years. If one of these deadlines applies to your case, you will have to think sooner rather than later about whether to go to court. You might want to consult with a lawyer about your problem to figure out how strong your claims are, whether any filing deadlines apply to your dispute and what you might expect to gain or lose if you file a lawsuit.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

The Penakbet Aftermath! And a meeting of an old friends!

Today I had received a lot of information about the Penakbet incident aftermath. The incident spread so quickly among my co-workers, sharing facts and views.
Another issue that's being talked about is Marina's resignation. I was informed that she can't stand the pressure anymore! Well we don't know how true is this? I am really amazed how the news spread so quickly among my co-workers!

I also hope the same thing works especially if our union representatives has done a good job we should give them credit when it is due! More power to our union-negotiating team Steve, Sinbad, Benny, Ken & Lynn. We should always be sensible and well informed to what's happening. Take the intiative first. Keep updated! Be informed! All they need is our all-out support and encouragement to succeed. We should get up and stand up and speak out! Let your own voice be heard. So that we protect our rights as a worker! Anyway see you this Sunday on the meeting!!!

But before anything else I just want put on record that Me & Ernie Bayalan were asked by Gregg Johanssen to go to the office and gave our statement to Michael Connors about the incident. With respect to them we did our part as honestly and professionally as it is. Michael Connors told me that he had received an e-mail from Andy Smith about the incident since last night. And Michael C. gave his words to me that he'll do some action on this.
My co-worker Pam Uppal told me that she did saw Alex Alcarion having a meeting with Andy Smith and sent him home yesterday (Friday) and not let him work! Well, that's fair!
I also had a little conversation with Cris Valse ( the Victim). He is still upset about the incident and showed me his medicine, and he is trying to see his doctor as soon as possible! Why not an attorney for some legal actions, right? I told him, Go ahead it is your right!
This time I cannot conclude that the management had done it fairly... we have just to wait 'til next week!

Penakbet...Getting Too Violent!

While giving a lunch break for system 2 crew at around 8:45PM. Alex Alcarion again showed his weird and unsafe attitude towards his co-workers.
While Ernie Bayalan & Cris Valse working together on a hopper Alex Alcarion approached them from behind and gave a strong punch to Cris' left shoulder. And he said arrogantly " Now... you can go ahead and apply for your disabilty!" and while proudly walking through the System 1 reject station he daringly looked at the two guys. This is the time I realized that from coming from system 3 he just go around our machine and did this foolish incident. Im working by myself on the jacket, the A hopper. And saw him went back to his machine ( the sytem 3).
So Cris V. and Ernie B. was really caught by surprised for his attitude & they call me and tell me about the real situation. At first I thought it was not that serious but Cris for the second time he told me that he got hurt and really hit so hard by Alex Alcarion and showed me his left shoulder, it was so red! So I told them that it's only proper that we informed the supervisor. And we (Me,Ernie & Cris) decided to go to the control room and talked to Andy Smith(Shift supervisor) and informed him what happened( Craig was also inside the control room). And Andy S. took Cris' own statement what really has happened. And Cris told him he really got hurt and it is not a joke! In closing, Andy reviewed us the recap of what he will put on his record. He also told us he will get Alex A. own statement seperately which is just fair. I really do appreciate Andy Smith professionalism treating the situation. I know this is not only the first complain has been filed against Alex Alcarion's bad attude. A lot of guys had a complain against him but never reported and put on records and they just keep quiet. And this is not good for " Evil will prevail if good men do nothing!!!"
He doesn't deserved the position and the job he has! I hope this incident will have a fair investigation! Importantly, necessary disciplinary action should be done for the safety of every worker in this department.
Because "We just come to work, and we do not want to die!!!"

Usap-usapan ( Si Santa Claus at si Big Bad Wolf)

Mahigit ng isang linggo na di ako nakapagsulat. Sa kadahilanang ang mga bagay na totoo lamang at sana personal kong nasaksihan ang dapat ilagay sa weblogsite na ito. Sa buong linggong pakikinig ng iba't-ibang kwento mula sa aking mga kasama narito ang isa sa mga mahalagang nangyari.
Noong Miyerkoles (Sept. 13, 2006) marami ang nabigla sa biglang pagdalaw ni Santa Claus. Marami sa mga kasama kong nagmamahal sa kanya ang sabik syang makausap at makitang muli. Napag-alaman ko na sya ay napilitang magbitiw, magresign o magretire ng mas maaga ng di inaasahan. Ito marahil ay sa kadahilanang sa mga di magagandang nangyayari sa ating departamento. Natatandaan ko ng huli ko syang makausap noong mga nagdaang taon nung dumalaw sya minsan. Sinabi nya sa akin na inaasahan daw nya ang mas maaga nyang pagreretire at sabi ko bakit naman? Pipilitin daw ng management na mas mabuti na syang magretire sapagka't may edad na sya at di na sya madaling sumunod sa mga pagbabago at ayaw na nyang mapag-aralan ang mga bagong sistema tungo sa pag-unlad. Tatlumpung limang taon syang nagtrabaho dito sa kompanyang ito at mula sa pressroom ay dito sa packaging huli syang nagtrabaho na ipnakita naman nya ang kanyang mahusay na pamumuno sa amin na kinagiliwan naman sya ng karamihan na di naman nagugustuhan ng management. Sa aking sarili at sa iba kong mga kasama di man lahat, si Santa Claus ay may respeto sa kanyang katrabaho at ang lahat ay gumagalaw at ginagawang nyang maging masaya ang kapaligiran sa pamamagitan ng pagpapatawa. At sa ginawa nyang ito, dito ko sya lubos na hinangaan at di naman nabawasan ang pag-galang ng mga tao sa kanya sa katunayan ayaw nya ng tatamad-tamad at nagbabasa..mahigpit sya kung kinakailangan at bumamaba ng kalevel ng mga pangkaraniwang manggagawa na alam ko na di nagugustuhan ito ng management sapagka't nagagawa nyang magkaisa at malapit ang bawa't isa. Nag-iba lang sya ng magsimulang ang pangangampanya, ang issue na magkakaroon ng Union Election at isa sya sa mga ginamit bilang video propaganda ng management kahit alam ko na di ayon sa kalooban nya ang pagsasalita sa video campaign propaganda material ng company. Madalas para maging masaya ang araw ng pagtatrabaho magdadala sya ng free breakfast sa lahat, kagaya ng donut. Tangi sya lamang sa mga naging supervisor ko ang gumawa nito at may ganitong katangian. Kaya nga't halos paborito sya ng nakakarami. At ng sya ay magbirthday nung nakaraang taon pinaunlakan ko sya at kinantahan ng "What A Wonderful World". Bagay sa kanya kasi ang awiting ito lalo na ang linyang " I see friends shaking hands, saying " How do you do? They really saying I love you!" Na kahit paano nakatulong sya sa amin na maalaala ang diwa ng pagkakapatiran na kulang dito sa aming departamento. Na alam ko na nagustuhan nya ang pag-awit kong ito. At napansin ko ng mga oras na 'yon na ni wala man lang syang bisitang taga management. Na sa aking pananaw na di ito pangkaraniwan at nararamdaman ko na may ibang ibig sabihin ito. Sa akin di ko makakalimutan ang mga masasayang araw na kasama sya sa trabaho. Kahit na parang naglalaro lang ay napapagalaw nya at napapasunod ang mga tao at higit sa lahat natatapos ang dapat tapusing trabaho ng masaya sa araw na iyon.
Nakakapagtaka lamang na pagkatapos ng lahat ng ito at sa husay ng kanyang pamumuno o leadership napagalaman ko na pinalabas na lamang sya nuong Miyerkoles at walang respetong sinabihan sya ni Big Bad Wolf na "I think you can leave the place now or you can go now!"
Kaya nga't ang tatlumpu't limang taon nyang maging tapat dito sa company ay di man lamang pinapahalagahan at nirerespeto ano pa kaya ang kagaya kong pangkaraniwang mang-gagawa lamang. Di sila marunong mahiya at lumalabas ang kanilang kulay. Kulay ng mga taong walang pinagaralan! Mga taong walang moral!
Kaya nga't ang ibang mga kasama ko na nagmamahal kay Santa Claus sa mga darating na araw ay nagbabalak magkaroon ng isang salu-salo para sa kanaya bilang pagkilala sa kanyang katangi-tanging pamumuno. At sana ito ay maisakatuparan at alam kong maraming dadalo dito at magiging isang malaking pamilya. Pamilyang may pag-galang sa isa't isa lalo na sa karapatan.
Para sa amin sya ay sapilitang pinalabas upang maiwasan ang mga pagkukwento nya sa amin ng mga ilang bagay at magkaroon kami ng iba pang kaalaman sa kabulukan nila.

Ang UT at ang kanilang Pangkariwang Manggagawang Pinoy (in Tagalog)

Sa sobrang antok at pagod ko ng linggong ito 'di ko nakuhang maglog (magsulat) ng araw-araw. Kaya't pipilitin kong alalahanin ang mga mahahalagang nangyari. Una wala pa ring pangbabago ang takbo ng Shur Palletizer. Di' sya sure kung tatakbo sya ng mahusay sa araw-araw. Sayang na million dollar. Dumami ang trabaho at ang mga voluntary overtime at sapilitang overtime (mandatory overtime) at mas naging kailangan nila ang mga mang-gagawa upang mailabas sa tamang oras ang ating pang-araw-araw na pahayagan. At kagaya nga ng dati mas naging mahirap para sa amin ang pagkacartload sapagka't gipit na nga ang naturang lugar at kulang ang mga cart na di man lang inaalam ng supervisor kung ano ang problema bago magsimula ang pagpapatrabaho, anong klaseng pamumuno meron nga ba sila? Di rin masasabing ligtas para sa amin sa dahilang napakainit sa naturang lugar. Sa pagtulak ng cart ay mas maraming effort sa wrist ang kinakailangan bago mo marating ang dulo ng north dock. Wala silang pakialam kung sumakit ang buo mong katawan at masaktan ka sa pagtatrabaho. Ang madaling trabaho ay kanilang pinahihirap upang masabi na sila ay may pamumuno daw? Ang suswerte nila sa madaling pagkita ng dolyar. Marami sa atin ang nagsasawalang kibo lalo na sa mga kababayan kong mga Filipino sa mga pangyayari nguni't alam ko na nararamdaman nila ang sakit ng nararamdaman ko. At sana di sila nagbubula-bulagan lamang!
At huwag nating kalimutan na ang mga makina sa ating departamento ay lumilikha ng napakalakas na ingay o noise decibels at marami sa ating mga kasama ang di nakakaalam na ang sobrang ingay ay malaki ang nagagawa sa ating pag-uugali, ito ay ayon sa mga pagaaral at pananaliksik ng mga dalubhasa sa bagay na ito. Di sapat ang taunang hearing test at pag-gamit ng safety ear plugs upang di maapektuhan ang ating kalusugan at pagkatao.
Dahil sa bagong palletizer na ito, na hanggang sa ngayon ay napakalaki ng problema nawalan tayo ng break area at banyo at kailangan pa nating umakyat o maki-gamit sa ibang palapag. Microwave, TV, Vendo Machine at Internet ay wala na nga at wala silang alternatibo para dito, wika nga wala silang pakialam. May electric fan nga di naman ayos at ligtas at mga electrical outlet. Ang mga water drinking stations at electic fan ay puno ng alikabok. Alam nating lahat na para magawa mo kaukulang trabaho tayo ay laging nakatayo at laging pauli-ulit (repetetive movement) na pag-galaw. Ito ay ating ginagawa araw-araw sa isang buong linggo. Alam ko tulad ko rin kayo na kahit sumakit ang ang parte ng katawan ay pipilitin nating magtrabaho. 'Yung iba ay nakakita ng paraan upang alagaan ang kanilang sarili upang maging ligtas sa araw-araw nag pagtatrabaho.
Di mo rin masisisi ang iba sa atin na maging tamad sapagka't una sa lahat pinangalalagaan lamang nila ang kanilang katawan at kung hindi, di sila tatagal ng mahabang panahon dito sa UT. Ang iba ay nagsasamantala sa mga baguhan o kapwa katrabaho at kung di nila gagawin baka matagal na silang disabled o kaya ay nasa hukay na nga sila. Napakasamang pag-uugali ang matutunan mo dito sa UT nguni't wala ka namang magagawa kailangan mo ng trabaho at pera para mabuhay kahit paano. Nguni't tao lamang tayo na napapagod, nagugutom, nagkakasakit, may damdamin at kailangan ang bawa't isa, lalung lalo na ang pag-galang sa bawa't isa. Di kagaya ng mga makina na di kailangan ang mga ito!
At kung ang lahat ng ito ay sasabihin mo sa kanila (management) at aasa ka na malulutas ito, nagkakamali ka kaibigan. Ito ang trabaho ng marami sa kanila ang pagtakpan ang kanilang kababahuan at kabulukan. Kaya nga "Something stinks at the Union Tribune!"
Anumang makapagbuo ng isang pagkakapatiran, ito ay kanilang sisirain sa simula pa lamang, mula pa ng unang araw ng iyong pagtatrabaho dito. Narito ang aking sariling opinyon kung paano ka matatanggap bilang manggagawa ng Packaging Department ng Union-Tribune. Alam kong katawa-tawa nguni't ito ang totoo kabayan!
1. Mas mabuti kung di ka marunong mag-ingles. Kung maari ikaw ay pipi at bingi upang di mo masabi ang gusto mo sa kanila. At maramdaman mo na sila ay mas mataas kesa sa 'yo.
2. Kung maari ay di ka nakapag-aral o di man lang nakatuntong ng paaralan at di mo alam ang salitang karapatang pang tao. Kaya nga't "No Reading Policy."
3. Dapat wala kang kapwa tao upang di mabuo ang isang mabuting samahan ng pagakakapatiran at makita ang tunay na pagkapanta-pantay. Kaya nga't bawal ang kapamilya (No Family Members) na kasama mo dito sa trabaho, asawa lamang at ito ay panakip lamang sa paglabag sa alituntunin ng manggagawa (Labor Code).
4. Dapa't di ka nagiisip, may inggit sa bawat isa upang di tayo magkaisa. Kaya nga't meron silang itinatangi at merong hindi upang ikaw ay mainggit. Kagaya ng pagpili nila ng mga taong ilalagay nila sa magandang posisyon at maging tuta nila at gamitin ka sa sariling kapakanan.
5. Mas gusto nilang maghari ang hatred at maging hostile ang ating departamento upang tayo ay magkahiwa-hiwalay.
Marami pa sana akong dapat maisulat nguni't sa sobrang pagod sa trabaho di ka makapagsulat ng maayos!
Ang Union-Tribune ay ang dalawang salita na di dapat magkasama!
Anti-American! Anti-union at di makatao! Di-makapamilya! At higit sa lahat di nila kilala ang Diyos!
Isang paala-ala lamang ang sabi ni Pepe (a.k.a Dr. Jose Rizal, ang unang nagsabi na sya ay Filipino):

To Jose Rizal, what is the most important contribution of every Filipino to his country’s progress?
The main thing is that every Filipino must be a good man, a good citizen so that he can help his country (where he or she lives) to progress by contributing his heart, and if need, be his arm. (With the head and heart, we ought to work always; with the arm when the time comes when physical strength is needed. The principal tool of the heart and the head is the pen. Other prefer the brush; others the chisel. On my part, I prefer the pen.
--Dr. Jose P. Rizal

Re-Classification, Exploitation, the next Negotiation & a Message to my Kababayans

Although I had a little talked with Oscar Feliciano (re-classified as partime packager I) yesterday, I had an information from Steve O. that a lot of my co-workers who were demoted and had their pay cut on their salaries are still doing the same job as before. This is very clear that the company wants to exploit their hardworking people and it is very unfair, inhuman and unsconstitutional. Steve O. advised Oscar F. not to say no if they assigned him again as a line monitor (a job for packager II) and will use this as a proof against them for their unfair labor practice. So I hope everybody should be aware of this dirty tricks. Let's use it against them. As we always say " Everything is a trap!" Don't be a victim! ' cuz we are not stupid!
Here is a message to all my filipino friends proudly tell them "Pilipino Ako, 'Di Nabibili Ang Puso Ko! Wala tayong utang na loob sa kanila at ginagamit lang tayo sa sariling kapakanan nila!" We are not liabilities but we are an assets to them!
And before we left home yesterday I also knew from them (Ken & Steve)that the next 2 days negotiation will be on September 20 & 21(Wednesday & Thursday). It is really nice to be with these guys for I keep myself well informed about the union activities. But because we don't have any bulletin board at work a lot my co-workers feel that they are being neglected by the union. Well, this his is not true. All of our union-representives are doing a great job to get us a good contract all they need is our support. We need solidarity, for in the union there is power and solidarity there is power!!!
Lastly any changes or updated activities of our union will be posted here with a reliable source. Good luck guys!!!(Dwight W. "a.k.a Sinbad", Benny T., Steve O., Lynn H. & Ken H.)

Union Flyers @ Petco Park

Today I helped the guys distributed some flyers at Petco Park. We were Steve, Benny, Ken and me. Since last week the group started distributing this flyer to the community of San Diego and Petco is the perfect place. And this is a good idea. Actually one of the driver in the distribution department told and showed me the blue flyers, her mom got it from the ballgame and he is very proud when he said that. I told him that since last week we are distributing those flyers. We spent at least 2 hours there on the gate. We distributed more or less a thousand of them today! It was fun anyway!
Yesterday(Friday 09.01.2006), a lot of my co- workers showed support to the union by wearing their black shirts. And again Michael C. come to work so early and maybe checking all the new guys who are wearing the union black shirt. He looks so desperate and try to be nice with me by rendering his help ( by picking up the wood skid & plastic wrap) while i'm doing the forklift on system 1. I also noticed a lot of guys are wearing just a black shirt showing that they are behind us. I hope I am right. And I also had information that they still call them in the office and try to intimidate them. I just want to give a special credit to these people they are (The UT-Pinay Pride) Leonor, Arsenia, Ellen & Vilma( sa totoo lang ang gaganda at bagay na bagay sa inyo!). Marie D. also gave her word to us. Others said they will wear it later; on their next shift (2nd shift OT) anyway whatever is comfortable for you girls. Oscar F. is also proud wearing his ( Vietnamese"" Bát Quá Tám") union-shirt!Virgil wear his black shirt too! A lot of people are being informed about the blogsite, this time Boyet asked me about the URL site: http://www.thecharmsquad.blogspot.com. Thanks to Freddie Perez for his effort on promoting our site! You're doing a good job! Two thumbs up for you!
Also today I heard a good news from Ernie that he is having his first " apo" congrats anyway! It's a blessing!!!

Be Informed...Get Involved ...Support Your Union!