Hospital workers: Strike last resort

CEBU, Philippines — Rank and file workers of Chong Hua Hospital in Cebu City remain hopeful that they will get their demand for wage increase without having to resort to a labor strike despite a deadlock in the mediation yesterday.

"Dili gyud mi gusto mag-strike despite sa deadlock sa among Collective Bargaining Agreement. Last resort na gyud nang strike," said Lito Suco, president of Chong Hua Hospital Employees Union-Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines.

The National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB)-7 will resume this afternoon the mediation between the labor union and the hospital management. 

Earlier, union members voted to strike after the management of Chong Hua Hospital refused to grant the P60 increase in their daily wage this year as provided in their Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

Suco said that under their CBA they are entitled P60 increase in their daily wage on the fourth and fifth year, respectively, after the signing of the agreement.

He said the union members even agreed to lower the amount to P20 this year and another P20 next year but the hospital management only offered P15 creating a deadlock.

Lawyer Manuel Espina, counsel for Chong Hua Hospital, refused to issue a statement after yesterday’s mediation hearing.

Lawyer Michael Francis Hubahib of the ALU-TUCP said they have yet to agree on the amount.

"As to the amount, that is something still being discussed and maybe we could meet halfway. Basta kay ang union last resort na gyud na ang strike. In fact, sila dili gyud gusto mag-strike," Hubahib said.

Suco said it is disappointing to hear that their counterparts at Chong Hua Hospital in Mandaue were able to get salary increase between P50 to P100 starting this month.

 "Mao na nasagmuyo gyud mi kay ang mga workers sa Mandaue nga wala  nangayo og increase mao na hinoon ang gihatagan og increase," said Suco.

 Atty. Nora Analyn Demetrio-Diego, regional vice president for Central Visayas of ALU-TUCP, said 842 of the 900 union members voted “yes to strike” last week. Diego said only 13 members voted “no to strike.”

She said most of the union members are nurses.—  FPL (FREEMAN)