CEBU CITY- It’s final. The rank and file union and supervisors of Oriental Port and Allied Services Corporation (OPASCOR) based here have cut ties with the Associated Labor Union – Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP).
Hence as certified by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), there will be OPASCOR Workers’ Union (OWU) already for the rank and file group and OPASCOR Supervisory, Technical and Responsible Alliance Union (OSTRA Union) for the supervisors.
OWU which was registered last January 15, 2026 will be lead by Michelle May dela Torre as its president while OSTRA Union which was just registered last March 30 will have Vivencio Ybañez Jr. as its union president.
In October last year, both groups have already signified their intent to dissociate from ALU-TUCP citing several reasons which put them in “disadvantageous position” despite paying religiously their union dues through the years.
In a press conference yesterday, March 31, dela Torre and Ybañez took turns in explaining their collective decision anchored on “independence” and “self governance.”
Moving forward, the two independent unions will work for the establishment of medical and dental clinics for their members; financial assistance through a program called USAPPA that will only require low interest for loans and returns for its member and a 75% returns of their union dues each year, among others.
“This journey toward (sic) independence was forged in unity and sustained by hope. Together, we move forward – leaving the past behind – and building an enterprise truly owned by its workers,” a press statement both signed by dela Torre and Ybañez said in part.
Established on June 16, 1990, OPASCOR union members was with ALU-TUCP for more than thirty years. The workers enterprise is the exclusive cargo handling provider of the Cebu International Port (CIP) which signed a contract with Cebu Port Authority (CPA) until 2038./GAV
(The leaders of the newly formed independent union of OPASCOR which declared their cutting of ties with ALU-TUCP during their press conference/GAV)
(OSTRA Union President Vivencio Ybañez, Jr./GAV)
(The press statement signed by Ybañez and OWU President Michelle dela Torre/GAV)
