Simmering dispute at geothermal site resolved in 11 days

In a span of 11 days, the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) eased a simmering dispute at a geothermal energy site in Ormoc City .

NCMB Executive Director Reynaldo Ubaldo, in a report to Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz, said the dispute that was heating up at the Energy Development Corporation (EDC) based in Tongonan, Ormoc City was immediately resolved following a preventive mediation sought by the National Union of RIG Workers Union headed by its president Teodoro Dacera.

Ubaldo said the issue had stemmed from the company’s Early Retirement Program (ERP) which the Union assumed to be implemented in all of EDC’s departments.

A validation conducted by the NCMB Region 8 revealed, however, that the union in the Energy Drilling Department, was not actually covered by the ERP and that the union was simply supporting three other unions.

The company’s three other unions thought that the way the ERP was implemented was not in accordance with the provisions of the Labor Code.

“It turned out that the union was just apprehensive that a similar program might be implemented eventually to them by the management,” Ubaldo said. “But the management assured the union that if it ever happens, they will address it through the Labor Management Council or at least they will notify the employees or the union officers within a reasonable time.”

As a result of their agreement before Conciliator-Mediator Tomas Biboso, the union withdrew its preventive mediation case, 11 days after its filing last August 20.

Meanwhile, Sec. Baldoz lauded the efforts of the NCMB and the maturity of both the union and management in resolving their differences.

“This is the way the administration of President Aquino wants us to do based on his 22-point labor agenda. We are focusing on that direction particularly on the strengthening of tripartite cooperation and promoting industrial peace,” Baldoz said.

It can be recalled that one of the policy pronouncements of President Aquino was for the DOLE to work with the private and labor sectors to strengthen tripartism and promote industrial peace and harmony.

END

/jtj