NCMB-DOLE
JULY 25, 2003
The 22-day strike at BC Chemical Paper Products, Inc. in
Bulacan was concluded when the management of and its union reached settlement
on July 14, 2003. This was reported by Executive Director
Rolando Rico C. Olalia of the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB)
to DOLE Secretary Patricia A. Sto. Tomas.
The dispute stemmed from deadlock in
collective bargaining on the last 2 years of the CBA for which the BC Chemicals
Workers Union filed a notice of strike on 12 May 2003.
On 19 June 2003, the union
struck. A series of conciliation efforts
of Conciliator Rodolfo G. Guevarra eventually resulted in the execution of a
Memorandum of Agreement on 14 July 2003.
Under the MOA, the management of BC
Chemicals agreed to pay a wage increase of P14/day in 2003 and another P14/day
increase in 2004. Also, management commits to incorporate in the CBA all other
items agreed during their plant-level negotiations.
The striking employees reported back to work on 15
July 2003 and the company’s operation is now normal.