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GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/08 February) — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) commended the workers’ union and management of a softdrink bottling plant here for the accelerated settlement two weeks ago of their new collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said the signing of the new CBA between the management of Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines, Inc. (CCBPI)-General Santos City plant and its union General Santos Coca-Cola Plant Free Workers Union-TUPAS (GSCCPFWU-TUPAS) was considered a landmark development after it was concluded in just six negotiation meetings. She noted that the CBA negotiation and signing were accomplished by the two parties “without any need for DOLE help.” “This is an indication that when workers and management work together in an atmosphere of trust and with the general welfare of workers and interest of company sustainability and competitiveness in mind, nothing is impossible,” Baldoz said in a statement issued by DOLE Region1 2.
Feliciano Orihuela, Jr., National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) Region 12 director, said Coca-Cola and the worker’s union signed their new CBA last Jan. 24 following about two months of negotiations.
Under the new CBA, workers in the company will enjoy a financial package of P55,000 each, consisting of a P45,000 lump sum package and P10,000 in industrial peace bonus, he said. The official said the CBA also provides for a salary increase of P45 per day given across-the-board for the period covering 2012-2013. He said the new CBA covers economic provisions effective July 1, 2012 until July 1, 2015. Orihuela said they consider the signing of the CBA as a major confidence-building measure aimed at strengthening working relationships in the company.
“The conclusion of the Coca-Cola Gensan’s CBA without any intervention from the NCMB showed the faith of the company in its union-partner and vice-versa. Both believed that industrial peace can be attained if they work together,” he said. Ronie Lalas, CCBPI’s regional director for Visayas and Mindanao, said the early signing of the new CBA is a big boost to the company’s operations in the area. “This is a significant first for the company to finalize a (CBA) negotiation within six meetings only,” he said. Bernardo Pan, GSCCPFWU-TUPAS president, assured that all 36 members of their union were satisfied with the provisions of the new CBA. He assured the Coca-cola management that they would abide by the new CBA’s provisions and “will always do what is right.” (Allen V. Estabillo/MindaNews)