Salcon union not lifting strike just yet

CEBU, Philippines – While the Salcon Power Independent Union is willing to lift its notice of strike, SPIU union president Gaudioso Iso said since the management refused to heed their demands during yesterday's conciliation before the National Conciliation and Mediation Board they will hold the lifting of the notice of strike in abeyance.

"Maghimo mi og letter addressed to Governor Gwen (Garcia) nga although we appreciate her effort, pero wala man sad gud offer nga management sa among mga demands. So di lang sa namo i-lift ang amoang notice of strike," Iso said.

The union officials together with Naga Mayor Valdemar Chiong had a dialogue with the governor last week to look for a possible settlement of the ongoing labor dispute between the management and the rank-and-file employees union.

The SPC Power Corp. management in a separate interview said that they lament the stubbornness of the “high-salaried” union leaders.

The management said that the union leaders are flagrantly showing that they are being “anti-Cebu” by refusing the governor's request.

But the management, however, said that the union members are always welcome back at the negotiating table to come up with a win-win Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Earlier, the management described the threat of a strike by the rank-and-file union as uncalled for and unnecessary because it frightens Cebuanos with long brownouts despite the sincerity shown by management in dealing with its employees.

Among the demands of the union includes an "equal work, equal pay" scheme, a demand that the management cannot give, branding it "ridiculous and unreasonable". – Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/BRP (THE FREEMAN)