The measure has been in effect since yesterday, according to the operating company, Katoen Natie.

The strike is indefinite and involves a “spontaneous return to work” arrangement, the company stated in a press release.

In the statement, TCP noted that the union made the start of any negotiations conditional upon the prior fulfillment of one of two demands: the payment of an additional monthly bonus of 50,000 pesos (approximately 1,250 dollars) to all workers for the duration of the talks;

or, alternatively, a guarantee of 25 days’ wages per month for all personnel, regardless of whether work is available.

The “TCP considers this proposal extremely serious, as it makes the start of talks conditional on economic demands unrelated to the normal course of collective bargaining,” the statement noted.

This is a months-long dispute that has led the union to strike on more than one occasion, while the Ministry of Labor and Social Security attempts to mediate between the parties.

The TCP is the country’s main container terminal operator. The Belgian company Katoen Natie holds 80 percent of the shares, while the National Port Administration holds the remaining 20 percent.

jdt/oda/ool