A protest was staged by several dismissed employees of the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) outside the Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday, seeking the high court’s action on their case.
The group wants the Supreme Court En Banc to overturn the 3rd Division's decision denying the transit employees' separation benefits and back pay.
RH Boy Gonzales reported that former LRTA employees voiced their objection to the reversal of their victory in the illegal dismissal case, which they’ve been pursuing for more than 20 years.
LOOK: Mga tinanggal na empleyado ng LRTA, nagkikilos protesta sa labas ng Korte Suprema | RH 29 @boy_gonzales, DZRH News pic.twitter.com/NXkDIO03ng
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) December 17, 2024
Furthermore, as some members of their group have passed away, their families have taken up the call for the benefits they argue should have been given to them.
The protesters also staged a noise barrage, sounding whistles that are usually heard at LRT train stations.
The Metro Transit Organization, Inc. (MTOI) employees were terminated when the LRTA did not renew their operations agreement. The group subsequently filed a complaint against both MTOI and LRTA for illegal dismissal and unfair labor practices.
In response, the Labor Arbiter ruled in favor of the dismissed employees, ordering MTOI and LRTA to settle P208.2 million in separation pay and back wages.
However, the SC overturned the decision, as the Labor Arbiter and National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) lacked jurisdiction over LRTA.
In August, the SC backed the Commission on Audit's (COA) ruling that the employees of the dissolved MTOI cannot seek compensation from the LRTA.
