Davao City. The Regional Conciliation and Mediation Branch XI settled the notice of strike filed by members of Mincorr Independent Workers Union (MIWU) against Mindanao Corrugated Fibreboard, Inc. (Mincorr), a subsidiary company of San Miguel Corp. which engaged in box manufacturing and other packaging materials such as glass and plastics that supplies corrugated cartons, for fresh fruit export, tuna and other canned products.
The parties agreed to settle this instant notice of strike case on July 22, this year, in just two conciliation conferences after assiduous facilitation efforts undertaken by OIC Director Ma. Theresa M. Francisco and rookie Conciliator-Mediator Aerrine Marie Reyes.
Represented by Joel M. Bañas, 60 affected rank and file union members were assured of Php10,139,448.00 monetary benefits that covered the increase in salaries and wages; increase in premiums on Holidays, Sundays, rest days and night shift differential; union leave; Labor Day & Bonifacio Day financial assistance; and mid-year gratuity. This is on top of the existing union education assistance, medical benefits, and uniform and t-shirt allowance already enjoyed by the union members; union office space; and calamity assistance based on the management’s generosity and magnanimity.
In addition to this, both parties has finally cropped up reciprocal provisions of their CBA covering the period January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2016.
“The conciliation ultimately terminated at exactly 10:00 o’clock in the evening. It was a straight 13-hour conciliation process”, Con-Med Reyes said. “But it was worth the effort because the conclusion of the parties of their three-year CBA ended with victorious and festive atmosphere with the parties’ contented dispositions”, Reyes acclaimed as she smiled.
“In behalf of the union members, we are very thankful for the positive outcome of the negotiation which ended this dispute between us and the management despite the three preventive mediation cases we have had filed”, MIWU president Joel Bañas said. “We are also commending OIC Francisco and Con-Med Reyes of NCMB-RBXI, for the patience and valuable efforts they extended for us to preserved harmonious relationship and industrial peace with our employer”, Bañas added.
On July 9, union converted the preventive mediation case into notice of after the parties failed to arrive a mutually acceptable terms of settlement of their CBA negotiation.
The case was formally filed on July 11 on the alleged unfair labor practice by management, specifically bargaining in bad faith, docked as NCMB-RBXI-NS-07-002-2014.
Con-Med Reyes said, “During the initial conference last July 6, after a thorough consultation and deliberation, union agreed to reduce the 42 issues into 11 priority items of the CBA economic provisions; salaries and wages; and the scope of bargaining unit.”
MIWU is affiliated with Alliance of Progressive Labor-Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa (APL-SENTRO) and existing for 14 years.
On the other hand, representing Mincorr is Mr. Rey B. Gudian, plant manager. Established and incorporated in June 9, 1994, the company started its soft operations in December 1994 and began its commercial production in April 1995. Mincorr is located at Km. 12, Sasa, this city and has a total workforce of more or less 120 employees.
Dennis M. Galorio, LIO Designate, RCMB-XI
