On February 5, 2013, Julieto O. Pareno, Jenny Vi G. Quindara and Mary Vermi Aizza A. Morales. These are three of the company's engineers with Pareno being a the Production Supervisor for 15 years while the two others are both Process Supervisors for five and two years, respectively.

 

The engineers met with the company's HR Manager Mr. Ian Centeno on February 8, 2013 at Dagupan Field Office, Dagupan City. They alleged that there has been wage distortion in the company. It is said that the newly hired employees entering with a Job Grade 11 receives a higher pay compared to them who were also given the same Job Grade.

 

Mr. Centeno told this Office that their allegations have already been tackled at plant level and have even reached the top management.

 

He further explained that the salary difference between them and the new employees are affected by prevailing conditions at the time of the hiring. These conditions include salary analysis, economic situation of the company at the time of the hiring and recommendation of their supervisors based on their performances.

 

He added that the company had increased the hiring rate to attract high performing applicants and that it is the management's prerogative to do so. Thus, there is no wage distortion as alleged by the three engineers.

 

In the light of the clarification presented by Mr. Centeno, parties agreed to settle the issues. The engineers are then willing to wait for the merit increase scheduled to take effect this April 2013.

 

(Lester B. Panem)