PRESS RELEASE

NCMB-DOLE

26 March 2003

 

 

NCMB TO CONCILIATE STRIKE AT SM MART

 

            The Sandigan ng Manggagawa sa Shoemart and the Management of Shoemart will meet at 1:00 p.m. today for conciliation at the National Conciliation and Mediation Board.

 

            The union representing members from five SM branches in Metro Manila went on strike yesterday, 25 March 2003. The union went on strike after several conciliation conferences did not bring about a settlement.

 

            The NCMB Executive Director said that  conciliators are prepared to conduct marathon conciliations,  if necessary, to hammer out an end to the strike. He is hopeful that the parties can come to an agreement.

 

            The parties are locked in dispute over CBA issues and alleged unfair labor practices for which they have separately filed notices of strike and lockout. On CBA negotiation, several economic issues remain in the agenda.  The union is demanding a P120 increase over three years while the company has offered a P14 daily increase annually for the first three years and P15/day increase for the 4^th and 5^th years.