NCMB
- DOLE
22 March 2005
Contact No. 527-98-06
The strike at Solid Development Corporation in Parang, San Ildefonso, Bulacan was finally settled on March 7, 2005 after a series of conciliation hearings.
The labor dispute between Solid Development Corporation and Solid Development Corporation Workers Association stemmed from the notice of strike filed by the latter on February 14, 2005 alleging management’s unfair labor practice acts specifically refusal to bargain and union interference. Failing to secure an agreement, the union struck on February 26, 2005 paralyzing the company’s operations. The dispute affected 420 workers in the bargaining unit.
In a report to DOLE Secretary Patricia A. Sto. Tomas, National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) Executive Director Hans Leo J. Cacdac said the parties finally inked an agreement on March 7, 2005. Notwithstanding the certification order issued by the Secretary of Labor for compulsory arbitration to the NLRC, the parties continued to avail the conciliation and mediation services of the Board which culminated in the settlement of the dispute.
The NCMB, through Con-Med Rodolfo Guevarra, exerted earnest effort to help the parties resolve their dispute.
Through a Memorandum of Agreement, the parties agreed on the following among others: (a) a consent election shall be conducted by the DOLE-RB3 within ten (10) working days from the signing of the Agreement while recognizing Mr. Ador Vassalo to still be the union president until the conduct of the consent election. (b) management shall withdraw the petition for interpleader filed before the DOLE-RB3; and (c) the workers shall lift the picket and return to work the following day except for those who are in the province, who were given two days to report back to work.