Naga mayor steps into Salcon conflict

Amid the impending strike threatened by the Salcon Power Independent Union over the Salcon Power Corporation's alleged non-recognition of the union and security tenure of workers, Naga City Mayor Valdemar Chiong yesterday appealed to the two parties to sit down and settle their issues.

Chiong said he believes that the two parties can work on industrial peace and is willing to mediate the two if so requested.

"We should all work for industrial peace, and should not forget that Naga is becoming an industrial hub.  Ang ako lang, they'll sit down and listen to each other," Chiong said, adding that the two –the capitalists and the laborers – need each other.

It was reported that the SPIU threatened to stage a strike against the management if it still refuses to recognize their union and give them job stability.  The protest action is said to paralyze not only the company's operation but also the power supply of the province.

SPC Human Resource Management Office senior manager Jocelyn Capule said it is not true that the management has denied them security of tenure.

It is just that in the agreement signed in 1994, all SPC workers' contract, being project-based in nature, must end in 2012, she said

Capule was referring to the National Power Corporation's rehabilitation, opera-tion, maintenance and management contract for the Naga Power Plant Complex that was won by Salcon Philippines, Inc. in 1994.

SPC, which was formed during this time, absorbed the NPC employees, but before they signed a 15-year agreement, they were given two years to decide, Capule explained.

By 2012, after the 15-year contract shall have lapsed, the SPC "ceases to operate," which means there is no way that the company shall renew the employment of its workers, she said. 

"It's very explicit that after the project the employment ends," she said.

Capule also denied that the SPC refuses to recognize the union, saying that they are only trying to make sure if the members composing it are really from the rank-and-file as required by the law.

She said that they believe that the union members are also composed of those from the supervisory and the confidential departments, hence, the management has sent a letter to the Department of Labor and Employment for an advice.

Pending DOLE's reply, Capule said that status about the union will still have to wait.

However, she said the SPC management is concerned of the plight of the workers and has initiated a monthly forum to let them speak their minds. 

As to this present situation, Capule said there is already an ongoing mediation meeting between the employees and the management. – Liv G. Campo/BRP