Power firm’s rank and file union files 2nd strike notice

CEBU, Philippines -  The rank and file union of the Korean Power Corporation-Salcon Power Corporation has filed a second notice of strike before the National Conciliation and Mediation Board-7, alleging Salcon Power has been avoiding negotiations in their Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

Jose Tomongha, chairman of the Alliance of Progressive Labor-Sentro, said Kepco Cebu Employees Union filed their second notice of strike last July 22.

"Ni-file sila sa ilang second notice of strike kay di na man mo-atubang ang management sa negotiation sa ilang collective bargaining agreement," said Tomongha who has been assisting the union.

With the second filing of the notice, KSPC now has two pending notice of strikes – the other being that from the supervisory union, the Kepco Cebu Supervisors Union, which was filed early this month.

The KCSA has conducted a strike vote and majority of the members agreed to a strike.

In a statement earlier, the KSPC management said the delivery of reliable supply of power is a critical factor in the success of the economy and a basic need for the day to day lives of the people.

"Thus, we appeal to the labor department and all other concerned authorities not to allow self-interest to prejudice the operation of the KSPC power plants," it said.

KSPC owns and operates a 200-megawatt modern coal-fired power plant in the City of Naga, Cebu and supplies power to the Visayas grid, mainly to the electric cooperatives of Cebu, Negros and Bohol.

Both unions have filed its first notice of strike last April. They were ready to go on strike last May 1 but President Benigno Aquino III intervened through DOLE secretary Rosalinda Baldoz and, after more than 12 hours of negotiation with the union and management, the strike was averted.– (FREEMAN)