Striking workers, cargo-handling firm agree to end conflict

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines - The striking workers and Dumaguete City's new cargo-handling operator have come to an agreement to end their conflict over arrastre and stevedoring services at the port, local and company officials said Tuesday. In a press conference Tuesday afternoon, Mayor Agustin Perdices said all workers associated with the Associated Labor Union-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP) have been ordered to go back to work starting Thursday. A memorandum of agreement (MOA) was signed between union-affiliated workers and top officials of the Prudential Brokerage and Services Inc. (PCBSI), said company lawyer Joel Obar. He added that among the salient points in the MOA were for the company to absorb all 119 striking workers of ALU-TUCP and for Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiations to be instituted within 30 days from the signing. ALU-TUCP district coordinator Felizardo Calimpong said a mass was held at the port Tuesday morning by way of thanksgiving for the resolution of the conflict. Based on the MOA, the two-month-old strike of the union will end on Thursday, a day before the scheduled visit of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in Dumaguete City. President Arroyo is set to arrive in the city Friday to attend the 88th birthday of former third district congressman Herminio Teves, father of Finance Secretary Margarito Teves. Before Prudential and the workers came to an agreement, the local office of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) was forced to take over port operations after the eruption of violence in March 29 that resulted in injuries to strikers and policemen. Sun.Star