PRESS RELEASE
NCMB-DOLE
March 4, 2003
The month-long strike at Lepanto
Consolidated Mining Company, Mankayan, Benguet finally ended Sunday as the
disputing parties entered into an agreement to end their dispute, NCMB Exec. Director
ROLANDO RICO C. OLALIA announced today.
The
Lepanto Employees Union, with a membership of 1,526 employees struck on 01
February 2003 to protest alleged unfair labor practice acts of management.
Citing reports from NCMB CAR Director
Marieta Morales, Director Olalia said that all members of the union would
return to work beginning the first shift of March 4, 2003. The company has
agreed to re-admit all officers and union-members that participated in the
strike.
The union has agreed to assure normal
operations within the mining premises upon resumption of work, Olalia added.
In return, the company committed to refrain
from making retaliatory moves against the union due to the strike.
Company and union representatives are set
to meet anytime after March 4, 2003 to resolve the remaining issues in their
dispute, Olalia added, saying both parties agreed to set a one-month deadline
for the negotiation.
In a related development, the officers of
the Lepanto Local Staff Union accepted a P6 million separation package from
Lepanto Consolidated Mining Co., Inc. paving the way for the settlement of
their dispute. They received their separation benefits on February 28, 2003.
The members of the Lepanto Local Staff
Union, however, opted to be re-hired. The 500 member strong Lepanto Local Staff
Union joined the Lepanto Employees Union in a strike that lasted a month to
protest certain unfair labor practice acts of the Lepanto Consolidated Mining
Co., Inc.