Labor lawyer Sonny Matula, President of the Federation of Free Workers (FFW), paid tribute to the late Ferdinand Cusi, a driver and labor leader who joined him in the fight for workers’ rights.
Cusi passed away on September 11 at the age of 50 after suffering a stroke.
Matula said Cusi started working as a jeepney and tricycle driver, and later started driving buses and trucks.
During this time, Cusi advocated for workers’ rights and organized workers and formed unions, Matula said.
“Ngunit hindi lamang manibela ang kaniyang hinawakan. Hinawakan din niya ang laban ng mga manggagawa. Naging tagapag-organisa siya ng mga unyon sa halos lahat ng kaniyang pinagtatrabahuhan,” he said.
He said Cusi became the president of the Worthy Transport Union and J&T Global Union.
He also served as union leader for the FFW and as vice president of DigitAll Workers Pilipinas.
Matula also remembered Cusi as a reliable leader, with both of them joining rallies calling for a P200 increase in the daily minimum wage in the country.
They also joined rallies condemning corruption and ghost flood control projects and opposing the transfer of Philippine Health Insurance Corporation reserve funds to the treasury.
He said Cusi actively joined rallies, pickets, and strikes, negotiations for collective bargaining agreements, and hearings and consultations on workers’ issues.
Cusi even faced threats from politicians who owned bus and shuttle companies, but was not cowed.
“Sa kaniyang buhay, si Ferdinand D. Cusi ay hindi lamang naghatid ng mga pasahero at kargamento. Naghatid din siya ng tapang, pagkakaisa, at pag-asa sa mga manggagawa. Sa bawat rutang tinahak niya, iniwan niya ang isang malinaw na mensahe: ang tunay na lider ay hindi lamang marunong magmaneho—marunong din siyang manguna,” he said.