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Oriental Port and Allied Services Corp. said union-member employees have agreed to refrain from any mass actions following discussions regarding alleged violations of top management
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Associated Labor Union-Local 1—which is made up of Opascor workers—earlier filed before the National Conciliation and Mediation Board on September 19 a notice of strike
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ALU Local 1 claims top management committed collective bargaining agreement violations, union busting, discrimination of wages, number of work hours and other terms and conditions of employment designed to discourage union membership
Oriental Port and Allied Services Corp. (Opascor), the cargo-handling operator of Cebu International Port (CIP), said union-member employees have agreed to refrain from any mass actions following discussions regarding alleged violations by top management.
“We are pleased to announce that the most recent discussions have led to a positive resolution regarding the Notice of Strike. Our rank-and-file Local 1-Union has agreed to refrain from any mass actions, allowing us to refocus on our shared commitment to a strong and stable Opascor,” the cargo-handling operator said in a statement on October 5.
It added: “We sincerely appreciate the dedication and effort demonstrated by all parties involved, recognizing that the open dialogue is vital as we forge ahead. This resolution not only affirms our commitment to the well-being of our employees but also honors the spirit of the community we serve—an environment rooted in trust, resilience, and a shared vision for the future. As we navigate the path ahead, we remain steadfast in our mission to foster a collaborative atmosphere that ensures the continued success of Opascor.”
The statement comes after Dennis Arciaga, president of Associated Labor Union (ALU)-Local 1—which is made up of Opascor workers—filed before the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) on September 19 a notice of strike against the management of Opascor for committing alleged collective bargaining agreement violations, union busting, discrimination of wages, number of work hours and other terms and conditions of employment designed to discourage union membership.
A mediation conference was held by the NCMB on September 23. A Sunstar Cebu report on the same day quoted lawyer Eduardo Soleng, Jr. saying the management did not violate any provisions of the collective bargaining agreement with the labor union.
Prior to the filing of a notice of strike, 267 employees, shareholders, and retired workers of Opascor signed a petition on September 17 urging company chairman chief executive officer Tomas Riveral and general manager Florimae Velasco to vacate their posts “to save the company from further damage/bleeding due to mismanagement and irrational decisions.”
The petition claimed that Opascor’s top management violated shareholders’ and owners’ rights by failing to hold elections for the past 20 years. Opascor is a workers-owned and -operated Filipino company established by its owners-workers in 1990.
The petition accused top management of non-disclosure of financial status and other pertinent documents of the company and its subsidiaries, to “which the owners have the right to access.”
“Had there been an annual election, the owners would have never been deprived of this information, as the same should be reported before the conduct of elections,” said the petition.
The petition also cited Riveral’s—who has been with the company since 2001—alleged conflict of interest for allowing his family-owned company to do business with Opascor, as well as nepotism, for putting inexperienced relatives to significant positions.
It also accused top management of misappropriation of real properties purchased by the company, as well as “withholding workers’ increases and limiting overtime in the pretext of cost savings” and retaining and paying “close allies” P50,000 per month as consultants, while rank and file employees who availed early retirement were rehired but paid minimum wage.
Opascor earlier assured continuous operations at CIP amidst the tension, while Cebu Port Authority said it is prepared to take the necessary measures to ensure uninterrupted port operations at the terminal.
