P14 Million Economic Package Capped the

Settlement at St. Augustine Academy

 

          A P14 million package of economic benefits capped the settlement of the labor dispute at St. Augustine Academy of Pampanga benefiting 67 workers. The settlement has put to end on August 25, 2005 the collective negotiation between the parties.

 

The dispute stemmed from the notice of strike filed by the St. Augustine Academy of Pampanga Faculty and Personnel Union on July 8, 2005 raising the issue of bargaining deadlock against the school.

       

NCMB Executive Director Hans Leo J. Cacdac said that earnest efforts were exerted to help the parties resolve their dispute which eventually reached settlement. 

 

Under the terms of settlement, the management of St. Augustine Academy agreed to grant rice subsidy of one (1) cavan at P1,200 per employee per year and one (1) set of uniform on graduation day and another set will depend upon the number of enrollees. A signing bonus of P4, 500 each to the six members of the union panel and P1,500 each to the union members shall also be paid by management.  Likewise, the management’s  proposal to distribute  the 70% of the tuition fee increase to  the teachers-employees as benefits shall be maintained. 

 

The parties also agreed to prepare and file a Joint Manifestation to withdraw the case involving the issue on the status of probationary employees which was certified for compulsory arbitration. Furthermore, management and union agreed that all regular employees should have the option to join or not to join the union.    

 

        NCMB RB III Director Shirley M. Pascual and Conciliator Mediator Maribeth N. Gopez facilitated the settlement of the labor dispute at St. Augustine Academy.  Ema A. Aguirre