NEWSFLASH

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MANILA CHRONICLE LABOR ROW

Manila, Dec. 27, 1997 - The Manila Chronicle has just declared a 7-day newspaper holiday, without giving any reasons.

The seven-day stoppage is considered unusual in the industry. The Christmas and New Year holidays sometimes see one or two newspapers not publishing for one or two days to allow workers to spend Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve with their families.

One answer might be the notice of strike filed by the 150-member Manila Chronicle labor union last Dec. 11 and the union's subsequent announcement that workers were planning to hold a strike anytime from December 26.

Workers are citing labor law violations by management, ranging from salary delay, non-remittance of social security and medicare contributions, non-payment of the mandatory 13th month pay and Christmas bonus, and calamity benefits.

Based on labor laws, the Chronicle Union can legally start their strike only after January 11, 30 days after filing their notice.

Chronicle workers, in the meantime, have started a 24-hour vigil outside the newspaper's office in Intramuros. The vigil is supported by the editorial, circulation and maintenance staff, as well as by the group from production.

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