KMU denounces North Harbor union leader for using workers’ fight to get money

Militant labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno today denounced Leandro “Andy” Mortel, secretary of the Samahan ng Manggagawa sa Pantalan and secretary-general of Alliance of Port/Transport Workers and Porters in North Harbor, for using the port workers’ struggle to collect money from the winning bidder in the privatization of the Manila North Harbor.

In a statement released today for mass distribution, KMU said that it gathered from “an unimpeachable source” that Mortel is asking the winning bidder, Manila North Harbor Port Incorporated, for a total of P1.3 Million in cash. The union leader was asserting that he be paid P1,000 for every worker he will recommend for hiring. He will also have the right to be the supplier of rice should the new management decide to give workers rice allowances. 

KMU also found out that Mortel asked workers to sign an enlistment form which does not contain the provision that the new management will give financial assistance to workers. 

“We denounce these moves by a union leader. While the port workers are risking their safety and lives in their militant struggle for job security, we have here a union leader who is using the struggle as an opportunity to enrich himself. His backdoor actions are distorting workers’ efforts to defend their jobs and the union,” said Elmer “Bong” Labog, KMU chairperson. 

Labog said the KMU will not tolerate nor defend union leaders who try to amass wealth by riding on workers’s struggle. 

“It is in the historical record that KMU does not condone such acts by union leaders. We promote simple living and arduous struggle among our leaders. We promote a unionism that is genuine and transparent to workers,” said Labog.  

KMU also called on port workers to denounce Mortel and continue the struggle for job security without him. “It is the valiant and persevering North Harbor workers who are decisive in their struggle, as well as in the fate of Mortel.”

The new management’s takeover of Manila North Harbor has been “indefinitely suspended” with the Philippine Ports Authority citing various issues that need to be resolved before the takeover pushes through.