2005 SEARCH FOR OUTSTANDING LMCs LAUNCHED

Every other year since 1999, the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) in cooperation with the Philippine League of Labor-Management Practitioners, Inc. (PHILAMCOP) had been awarding Best LMCs for Industrial Peace. The biennial Search is undertaken to recognize labor-management councils/committees (LMCs) at the workplaces in preventing disputes and in increasing the level of productivity of workers. It recognizes LMCs that have greatly improved the labor relations of the company for their mutual benefits as well as those of other stakeholders.

This year, the Search for Outstanding LMCs for Industrial Peace was launched among unionized establishments with collective bargaining agreements last February 28, 2005 at the Seamen’s Convention Hall in Intramuros, Manila.

NCMB Executive Director Hans Leo J. Cacdac welcomed the presence of eighty-two (82) LMC practitioners from labor and management sectors, labor federations and government officials. He emphasized that the LMC programs of the Board is anchored on its mandate to serve as a machinery that shall ensure prompt response to labor-management disputes that may arise. Recognizing companies with outstanding LMCs like Asian Transmission Corporation, Mabuhay Vinyl Corporation and Davao Light and Power Company, Director Cacdac added that LMCs, as compared with productivity are schemes of sustaining proactive measures that prevent disputes and ensure amicable settlement.

Trade Union Congress of the Philippines president, Atty. Democrito T. Mendoza, in his message delivered by TUCP Vice-President Avelino Valerio, encouraged the formation of LMCs in its affiliate unions. The principle of LMC is based on a premise that industrial peace starts at the workplace with union and management working hand-in-hand to accomplish certain goals using mutually acceptable means. TUCP believes that LMCs, when put into place and used in proper perspective would minimize industrial disputes.

International Labor Organization (ILO) Senior Labor Administration and Labor Relations Specialist, Mr. Abhik Ghosh cited that the Outstanding LMC Awards encouraged the business and corporate entities to think, practice and improve cooperation. He believed that “only workplace cooperation bring about operational efficiency and enhanced productivity.”

In his message, Undersecretary Benedicto Ernesto R. Bitonio, Jr. supported the points raised by the other speakers and encouraged the NCMB to coordinate the dissemination of information about the Search with the Regional Offices and the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards.

Representatives from the Federation of Free Workers (FFW), National Union of Workers in Hotel, Restaurant and Allied Industries (NUWHRAIN), National Union of Bank Employees (NUBE), National Association of Trade Unions (NATU), League of Independent Bank Organizations (LIBO) were also present during the launching. One of the highlights of the event was the oath taking of the first batch of accredited LMC Trainers.

The LMC Awards criteria involves the following: 1) LMC Organizational Set-up - how LMC organizational components lead to core values for a successful partnership between labor and management as well as stakeholders (30%); 2) Labor-Management Partnership - how teamwork is developed through the LMC which leads to a work environment conducive to performance excellence, full participation, personal and organizational growth (35%); 3) Labor Relations Outcome - the impact of the LMC on the company’s overall performance and competitiveness as well as the extent of the employee well being and satisfaction (35%).

The deadline for submission of entries for this year’s Search for Outstanding LMCs is on May 6, 2005. The awarding of winners will be held during the 5^th National Convention on Labor-Management Cooperation slated on November 10-11, 2005. For inquiries about the Search, interested parties may contact NCMB-LMC Division at telephone nos. 339-0441 or 338-9545.

Nomination Form