Strike cripples activity at Dumaguete City port

Manila: An indefinite strike by approximately 150 members of the Dumaguete Port Workers Arrastre and Stevedoring Services at the Dumaguete City port has brought port service or cargo activity to a standstill at the Filipino port since Friday. The remonstration is part of an effort by members of the Associatied Labor Union-Trade Union Congress (ALUTUC) to renegotiate the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which ALUTUC claims expired two years ago. The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is currently assessing bids from five different companies for management of the arrastre and stevedoring services at the port, and has been warned of further strikes if the winning bidder refuses to absorb the existing labour force in the port.  [07/12/06]