The seventy-five (75) day old strike at Goya, Inc. is finally over after its management and union inked an agreement on March 13, 2002. In a report to Secretary Patricia A. Sto. Tomas, National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) Executive Director Rolando Rico C. Olalia said that the parties finally reached settlement of their differences

The strike stemmed from alleged unfair labor practice acts of management for which the union filed a notice of strike on October 17, 2001

The highlight of the settlement is the return to work of more or less 300 workers on March 18, 2002 without any disciplinary actions or cases resulting from work stoppage and the conclusion of the CBA covering 2001 until 2004.

With the agreement, the union immediately lifted its picket and removed their tents near the company premises. Both parties agreed to extend full cooperation in the normalization and productive operation of the company.

Among the economic benefits included in the MOA are 1) wage increase of P35.00 per day for the second year and P45.00 a day in the third year with a wage increase moratorium in the first year of the CBA, 2) group hospitalization plan of P80,000 for each covered employee, and 3) ½ cavan of rice. Moreover, the company shall extend exceptional loan to returning workers in the amount of P10,000 payable in 12 months starting after 5 months from the release of the loan.

Significantly, the settlement of the dispute averted the closure of Goya, Inc. and prevented the eventual loss of employment of more or less 600 workers. The company is an affiliate of Nestle.

The assistance of Director Leopoldo V. de Jesus and Conciliator Leonida V. Romulo paved the way in the settlement of the labor dispute.

15 March 2002