La Union, May 24, 2013 - The La Union Cement Workers Union (LUCWU) settles today the case it filed through preventive mediation against HOLCIM, Philippines - La Union Plant.

 

LUCWU is one of two (2) labor unions in the said plant. It is the sole and exclusive bargaining agent for all rank-and-file employees with a total membership of 111 with Mr. Judor O. Ulpindo being the president.

 

Mr. Ulpindo filed a PM case in this Office on May 6, 2013 on issues of unfair labor practice, particularly: - contracting out functions being performed by union members; and - diminution of benefits (emergency medecines).

 

The case had its roots when, in December 20, 2012, Mr. Ulpindo requested via email the Vice-President for Operations and Plant Manager Mr. Andrew White through the Human Resource Manager a dialogue with the management to discuss the changes in the Tables of Organization on January 4, 2013. According to the former, the latter did not attend to the request.

 

The dispute itself emanated from the management's Plan of Re-Organization specifically at the Manufacturing Department. This was disseminated to the employees through their Talakayan meetings.

 

Under such re-organization, affected employees range from associates to managerial positions. On April 23, 2013, Mr. White issued a Notice of Separation/Retrenchment effective May 31, 2013 to four (4) affected associates who also are members of LUCWU, thus, prompting the Union president to file a PM case against HOLCIM on May 6, 2013.

 

During the initial conference on May 8, 2013, the Union requested that they be given the following data which the management agreed to provide:

     1. Job description of the following: Lab Technician, Pit Sampler, and Process Technician;
     2. Positions to be vacated who are due for retirement and the intended date of retirement; and
     3. Vacant positions.

 

Both parties agreed to discuss the matter on emergency medicines at the plant level.

 

The conference dated May 16, 2013 took place at the NCMB Central Office, Quezon City. At this point, parties dwelt on the case of the four (4) affected employees. Three of them, namely: Arlo Bongar (Pit Sampler), Norlito Mendoza (Process Technician), and Dante Bucasas (Company Driver) are going to be transferred to any available position. Jose Declasen opted to avail the retrenchment package given by the management.

 

During the subsequent meeting on May 24, 2013, parties settled on a compromise and signed an agreement in the presence of OIC Director Helena R. Flores.

 

Bucasas and Mendoza, deemed unqualified to take any of the vacant positions of Process Technician, Portal Operator, or Packhouse Operator, are to undergo training at TESDA to become Certified Machinists beginning next month. Management committed to shoulder the expenses of the said training. The two has to pass the Satisfactory Assessment Test under TESDA for HOLCIM to guarantee their employment until January 31, 2014 and will declare such positions redundant by that time. In effect, the Notice of Separation/Retrenchment effective May 31, 2013 is deemed suspended but HOLCIM firmly manifested that their submissions to the compromise agreement shall not be considered precedence in the future. Arlo Bongar will be made a Packhouse Operator.

 

The remaining issue on emergency medicines has been agreed upon by both parties to be submitted for voluntary arbitration.

 

The management has also committed to meet the Union starting next month to discuss the new Table of Organization approved the previous year so with the upcoming move of the company for personnel reduction.

 

(Lester B. Panem)