Hospital mgt, workers ink CBA, end labor deadlock

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — A private hospital in this city and its employees have agreed to end more than a year of intense negotiations for the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) that has once resulted in a deadlock followed by a strike.

The Holy Child Hospital management, headed by Sister Gloria Ibalio with counsels Franklin Esmena and Ramon Dagoy, have entered into a contract with the Associated Labor Union-Trade Union of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP) Employees Union headed by Noreen Nuico.

The signing ceremony, done at the hospital board room, was witnessed by National Conciliation and Mediation Board-7 regional director Edmund Mirasol and ALU-TUCP district director Felizardo Calimpong.

Under the pact, both sides agreed on a staggered implementation of a salary increase for the workers—P500 for the 4th year and another P510 for the 5th year, according to Calimpong, adding that the contract may be considered a rider of the original CBA. (FREEMAN)