Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III on Tuesday said he is mulling over the issuance of an Assumption of Jurisdiction (AOJ) in the brewing labor dispute at the Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) if it worsens into a full-blown labor strike.
In a phone interview, Bello said they are closely monitoring the case, since it will affect commuters if the work stoppage pushes through.
“I am prepared to assume jurisdiction if the conciliation does not succeed. I would be compelled because it…involves public service,” Bello told the BusinessMirror.
Bello noted said the CIAC management had expressed its willingness to grant some of the demands of the Samahan ng mga Manggagawa sa Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (SMD).
“Actually they are willing to grant the request of the labor group, except they are have to get the clearance of the GCG [Governance Commission for Government-Owned or -Controlled Corporations],” Bello said.
The labor secretary usually issues an AOJ in cases that involve national interests. It allows the labor chief to directly handle negotiations between the two disputing parties.
SMD members threatened to hold a strike amid its ongoing labor dispute with the CIAC management.
SMD has 174 members all working at the CIAC.
The dispute stems from the alleged unfair labor practice committed by CIAC in the privatization of its gateway’s operation and maintenance, which resulted to the displacement of some SMD members.
SMD filed its strike notice at the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on December 14, 2018, but it has yet to complete its strike vote to hold the work stoppage.
In a, SMS, Region 3 Labor Director Zenaida A. Campita said the case is currently still going through conciliation at the Regional Conciliation and Mediation Board.