From the remains of what used to be a mere mutual benefits association (NGA-EA) closely associated with the management, the National Food Authority Employees Association struggled and transformed the association to what it is now – one of the banner unions of militant, progressive and nationalist unionism in the public sector.

The union is a founding member of COURAGE and the sole and exclusive bargaining agent of the NFA employees. It now speaks of a total of 5,271 members nationwide with 14 regional chapters.

The NFAEA has been consistently at the forefront of the employees' struggle for their rights and welfare, against union harassment and even for the cause of the public sector and the people in general.

In fact, when management stood against the interest of the employees and used the agency and its resources for themselves and their benefactors, the union led the campaign to expose and oppose their acts (From Emil Ong's Nepotism cases and Romeo David's use of the NFA for the 1994 elections and Cyanide Rice). Eventually, it lead to their ouster.

Spanning more than 10 years, the NFAEA has also contributed to COURAGE sectoral campaigns for public sector employees' salary increases and security of tenure. The union has also participated in various multi-sectoral mobilizations on peoples' issues and concerns.

Among the NFAEA's major accomplishments were:

1. A Collective Negotiations Agreement with the NFA management concluded last August (see related story)

2. Provident fund for the employees

3. Campaigned for the Retention of the 421 NFA employees arbitrarily sacked by David

4. Provision of Loans, hospitalizations, Death/bereavement assistance, severance pay and free legal services to union members.

5. Education program that includes not only PSU courses but also discussions on current events and peoples' issues.

Currently, the union is consolidating its rank for its continuing struggle against the impending privatization of NFA as part of the Estrada Administration's program. Administrative Order no. 2 was issued as early as July to effect the transfer of NFA directly under the Office of the President, a prelude to the eventual privatization of NFA as viewed by the union.###