A group of North Harbor workers has filed a notice of strike before the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) to compel Manila North Harbour Port, Inc (MNHPI) to pay their past benefits.
In a June 8, 2010 notice sent to PPA general manager Atty. Oscar Sevilla, the Pier 8 Workers Union said MNHPI, the new operator of the North Harbor, has not made good on its promise to settle workers’ benefits despite commitments from MNHPI chief executive Michael Romero.
“Our main issue is for the recognition of our existing CBA (collective bargaining agreement) which shall expire on 2012 as mandated under the Terms of Reference of the bid and under the management contract signed by PPA and MNHPI,” said Adulfo Crisostomo, president of Pier 8 Workers Union, the same group undergoing mediation before the National Conciliation and Mediation Board because of an earlier notice to strike.
“While they (MNHPI) agreed to implement the hiring rate of the CBA which is P478 per day, and as a matter of fact has (already) implemented (this) in compliance of the notice of strike, the MNHPI refuse(s) to implement its other provisions, more particularly the security of tenure of all members of the union by refusing to absorb 26 union members without justifiable reasons,” Crisostomo explained.
So far, only 35% of the absorbed workforce has received pay packets for past services. This is in spite of an earlier MNHPI pronouncement that payments will be released within 48 hours after validation of each worker’s absorption into the company.
MNHPI has already paid out P100 million to port and transport workers for their past services in partial compliance of the North Harbor contract.
