NCMB Settles Dispute at Cebu Midtown Hotel

A P9 million economic benefits package for 95 workers capped the settlement of the labor dispute at Midtown Hotel on May 9, 2007.

In a report to DOLE Secretary Arturo D. Brion, NCMB Executive Director Reynaldo R. Ubaldo said that the bargaining deadlock between the Cebu Midtown Hotel Employees Union - National Union of Workers in Hotel Restaurant & Allied Industries (CMHEU - NUWHRAIN) and the Management was the subject of a notice of strike filed on 29 March 2007. NCMB exerted earnest efforts to bring the parties to a negotiation agreement with the assistance of Director Isidro L. Cepeda, Con-Meds Hacelfeo T. Cuares & Paciano L. Murro.

Through a Memorandum of Agreement, the parties agreed on the following benefits; (a) wage increase of P500 for the 1^st year; another P400 for the 2^nd and 5^th year and P350 for the 3^rd and 4^th years (b) Union leave from 40 to 50 days; (c) Optional retirement of 60% of basic pay for every year of service for those with 10 years of service; 70% for those with 13 years of service and 80% for those with 15 years of service; and (d) Union complimentary rooms from 5 to 7 rooms.

Moreover, the parties agreed on the following political issues: 1) list of positions covered in the rank-and-file; 2) check off of union dues, agency fees and entitlement to the additional share of service charge distribution; 3) to engage in joint actions against child prostitution and child labor; and 4) to improve grievance machinery. Ema A. Aguirre