Monday, October 02, 2006
Labor assumes jurisdiction over Dolefil CBA deadlock
By Edwin G. Espejo
With Allen V. Estabill
LABOR Secretary Arturo Brion has taken jurisdiction over the four-month long labor dispute at the giant pineapple company Dole Philippines Inc. (Dolefil) on Friday last week, a day after the labor union voted to reject a package of wage and other benefits offered by the management.
The move effectively prevented the workers from going on strike and the management from locking out the workers.
Last week, members of the Asosasyon sa mga Mamumuo sa Dole Alang sa Kalinaw ug Demokratikong Nasud or Amado-Kadena, voted down a management offer of 10.5 per cent wage increase spread over years.
"Right now, it's over. We will launch a strike anytime," union secretary Oscar Serohijos was quoted as saying Friday last week, a day after the 4,700-strong union thumbed down the management in a plebiscite.
The union earlier filed a notice of strike after their collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiation went into a deadlock.
In return, Dolefil management filed a lockout notice.
A report from the Department of Labor and Employment's National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB), which supervised the referendum, showed that 2,562 union members voted against the management's offer while only 774 voted in its favor.
Serohijos, who sits in the union's four-man negotiating team, said the union has no other choice but to reject management's "improved offer" as it hardly showed any improvement based on the proposals it presented during the failed negotiations for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
He said the union's majority was not satisfied with the new offer, especially the provisions on the wage increase that is reportedly one of the lowest in recent years.
Serohijos said the company's rank and file workers, who are currently receiving an average daily pay of P373.16 per day or 9,754 a month, last received a wage hike two years ago at a rate of seven percent.
"We're not asking for the moon but just enough for us to survive the present crisis," he said.
The company's "improved offer" covers: a three percent or P11 wage increase on the first year, 3.5 percent or P13 on the second year and four percent or P15 on the third year; a P430 monthly rice allowance for three years; a lump sum or signing bonus of P4,000 per worker on the first year and P1,000 on the second and third year; and, an education and research fund (ERF) of P500,000 for the union on the first year and P150,000 in the succeeding years.
Union members are presently receiving a monthly rice allowance of P390, annual family education assistance of P1,500, daily cost of living allowance (COLA) of P6, maternity benefit assistance of P3,750 and a range of medical benefits.
The members received a signing bonus of P8,000 while the union received an education and research fund (ERF) of P800,000 in their last CBA package.
The union, an affiliate of the Kilusang Mayor Uno (KMU), is asking for a P57.75 or 16.8 percent wage increase, 30 kilograms worth of monthly rice allowance, P21,000 signing bonus, COLA of P25, family education assistance of P2,500, and ERF of P1 million.
Dolefil general manager Kevin Davis, the only official authorized by the company to issue statements on the matter, has yet give the company's side regarding the latest development.
Davis earlier hinted that the company may consider pulling out from the area should the workers push through with their strike.
But in a recent statement, the company said it is reiterating its "strong commitment" to the workers and the community.
Dolefil claimed it is "one of the highest paying pineapple processors in the entire Asia region."
"We are vying against other Asian lower-cost pineapple producing countries and need to stay competitive to ensure long term success," Davis said in the same statement.
Based on the new Labor Code, the labor secretary is granted powers to assume jurisdiction on any labor dispute on the ground of national interest.
It is illegal to go on strike or to lockout the workers when the dispute is under the jurisdiction of the labor secretary.
Before the order of Brion, however, a flurry of backdoor negotiations involving top Dolefil management and government officials were earlier reported.
Davis was seen holding talks with Presidential Assistant for Mindanao Jess Dureza Friday last week.
US Ambassador Kristie Kelley, who arrived in General Santos last week, also expressed concern over the ongoing labor dispute at Dolefil.
For Bisaya stories from General Santos.Click here. (This section is updated every Monday)
(September 25, 2006 issue)
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