MARCH 21, 2003
NCMB-DOLE
FILIPINO PIPE AND
FOUNDRY STRIKE ENDS
NCMB Exec. Director Rolando Rico C. Olalia announced today the resolution of the labor dispute at Filipino Pipe and Foundry Corporation.
The Filipino Pipe and Foundry Corporation Workers Union – NAFLU-KMU went on strike on February 24, 2003 over CBA deadlock.
In his report to Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas, Olalia said that the parties finally came to terms on the major issues of their collective bargaining negotiation, paving the way for the resolution of their dispute.
Salient features of the agreement include the grant of P5 and P10 per day salary increase during the 4th and 5th year of the CBA, respectively, on top of a signing bonus of P1,500 and P10,000 financial assistance for voluntary resignation. The terms retroact to October 22, 2002, Olalia disclosed.
The agreement also provides a “no sub-contracting clause” including the normalization of a four-day work and the setting up of an LMC that will conduct regular meetings of once a month with NCMB assistance, Olalia further said.
Management further agreed not to reduce the other benefits that are already being enjoyed by the employees.
The striking workers lifted their picket on March 19, 2003 paving the way for the normalization of operations starting March 20, 2003.
The settlement of the strike renders moot and academic the Petition for Assumption of Jurisdiction filed by the Management on March 14, 2003.
In a related development, the strike declared by the Pinagisang Lakas ng Manggagawang Drayber at Mekaniko sa Saigon, Naff-Off, and Piss Pot Taxi, an affiliate of the Association of Genuine Labor Organizations (AGLO) on March 11, 2003 was amicably settled on March 18, 2003.
The workers went on strike to protest management’s refusal to participate in the conciliation meetings called by the NCMB in connection with the Notice of Strike earlier filed by the union. The union has been protesting alleged ULP act of management like bargaining in faith and discrimination and harassment against union members, among others.
The settlement agreement signed by both parties provided for the recognition of the union as the sole and exclusive bargaining agent of all the workers employed by the company and the negotiation of their collective bargaining agreement starting March 24, 2003. Management further committed not to commit discriminatory acts against the union and all its members while the union assured management that it will not resort to sabotage and unruly conduct.
As of March 18, 2003, the company’s operation has returned to normal.