NCMB-DOLE
29 July 2003
NCMB Settles Dispute at UERM Medical Center
A P4.4 million economic benefits package capped the settlement of the
labor dispute on July 22, 2003, at the UERM Medical Center benefiting 550
workers.
In a report to DOLE Secretary
Patricia A. Sto. Tomas, NCMB Acting Executive Director Rolando Rico C. Olalia
said that the bargaining deadlock between the UERM Employees Association, an
affiliate of the Federation of Free Workers and UERM Memorial Medical Center
was the subject of a notice of strike filed on 10 June 2003.
NCMB exerted
earnest efforts to bring the parties to the negotiating table and with the
assistance Con-med Susana A. Quimpo, the union and management eventually
reached settlement.
Through
a Memorandum of Agreement, the parties agreed on the following benefits, among
others: (a) wage increase of P150 per
month effective January 1, 2003 and another P150 per month effective January 1,
2004; (b) signing bonus of P1,000 per
union member. Also, a P5 peso per year
of service allowance shall also be given to employees who have become regular
as of December 31, 2002 which will be given during the 4th year of
the CBA year.