Talks sought to prevent strike at Clark airport

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — Clark International Airport Corp. (Ciac) spoke to leaders of the union of its 315 permanent employees on Friday, hoping to stave off a strike vote.

Samahan ng mga Manggagawa ng Diosdado Macapagal International Aiport (SMD) last week filed a notice of strike at the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) after a deadlock in negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA).

The workers also accused  Ciac of unfair labor practices when the airport removed workers’ life, health and retirement benefits.

SMD also complained to NCMB about unclear terms for workers in the airport’s operation and maintenance contract with a private consortium that would run the P15-billion new passenger terminal being put up by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA).

No layoffs

Jaime Alberto Melo, Ciac president, did not answer calls from the Inquirer concerning the side of management.

The last CBA at Ciac covered 2006 to 2010, according to SMD president, Dennis Lumanlan.

“We have no word yet,” he said when asked about the contract won on Thursday by the North Luzon Airport Consortium of Singapore’s Changi Airport and local conglomerates JG Summit Holdings Inc. and Filinvest Development Corp. In May, BCDA president, Vivencio Dizon, allayed fears that 315 regular employees of Ciac would be laid off.

Not final

“Of course, we are protecting our employees,” said Dizon, who is also BCDA chief executive officer. Ciac is a BCDA subsidiary.

He said details involving employment were not transmitted to the union ahead of the talks because these were still being finalized by BCDA privatization adviser, the International Finance Corp. (IFC).

Citing memorandum prepared by IFC, he said employees who were directly involved in operations would be absorbed by the concessionaire.

A copy of the concession agreement said the concessionaire would offer jobs to each employee involved in existing terminal operations not later than 60 days after the signing date. —Tonette Orejas