CLARK FREEPORT—The Association of Concerned Clark Development Corp. (CDC) Employees, or ACCES, has voted to go on strike during the union’s general assembly in this free port.
A union member confirmed the impending strike, saying “it could happen anytime now.”
The union is appealing to the CDC management to honor the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) it signed with workers.
ACCES President Paul Mamangun said the CDC has “taken away all the benefits [granted us under the CBA]” forcing them hold a strike.
However, CDC Communications Manager Noel G. Tulabut said, “ACCES officers have been told many times over that CDC’s hands, as a government corporation, are tied by certain prohibitions imposed by new laws and rules against [the grant of] new economic benefits.”
Tulabut said, “While it is everyone’s goal for better economic status, we are duty bound to uphold certain rules.”
On the threat to paralyze CDC operations, Tulabut said management is “saddened” by this threat.
“CDC’s mandate is to bring about jobs and livelihood. Mr. [Noel] Manankil, [CDC president], has appealed to all employees that we should all continue to serve the 90,000-plus employees and 850 locators. To threaten to cause disruptions and worse, paralysis in CDC and Clark, will be a great disservice to Clark’s major stakeholders, especially to the workers and locators,” the CDC statement issued by Tulabut said.