PLDT reaches accord on CBA

The Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) announced yesterday that it has reached agreement on the terms of a new three-year collective bargaining agreement with representatives of the union representing PLDT’s rank and file employees Manggagawa ng Kumunikasyon sa Pilipinas (MKP).

The formal signing of the new CBA, which sets out terms for 8,067 employees between 2000 to 2003, is expected to take place in Manila today.

PLDT management expressed its appreciation to the unions representatives for their professional approach throughout the negotiations and for their efforts to reach a swift and just settlement for their members, resulting in minimal disruption to the company’s operations. Negotiations began as recently as Jan. 19.

Both panels heeded a request at the outset by Manuel V. Pangilinan, PLDT president and chief executive officer, for the negotiations to be conducted on the basis of trust, openness and transparency with emphasis on resolving issues as soon as practicable. Confrontation was avoided and agreement was reached in what is believed to have been record time in PLDT’s management-labor history.

After reaching agreement on the terms, Pangilinan visited MKP president Pete Pinlac to personally congratulate him in the negotiating teams. Upon the suggestion of Pinlac, Pangilinan granted an extra one-time payment of P3,000 to each union member outside the agreed settlement in recognition of the speedy and peaceful resolution of the negotiations.

PLDT senior vice president and group head of human resources/organizational development Victorico Vargas said the successful coutcome of the negotiations was a reflection of the sincere determination of both panels to reach an agreement. "There was an appreciation that the negotiations represented a challenge to both the union and the management teams," he said.

"It was clear that neither side wanted to reach a point where the interests of the employees or the company were threatened because of disruption," Vargas added.

He also noted that the transparency that prevailed throughout the discussions ensured that each team was keenly aware of the other’s position. "As a result, we were able to move quickly towards an agreement that is acceptable to both," he said.

Pangilinan commented: "This agreement should be seen not only as a welcome development for PLDT but for the Philippines as a whole. The MKP is one of the largest unions in the country and the spirit in which the negotiations were conducted, the absence of disruption and the time taken to reach agreement are all very positive developments that will, I’m sure, be noted by the new administration. It is another demonstration of the ability of Filipinos to find peaceful solutions to the challenges they often face."

The main points of the three-year (2000-2003) Collective Bargaining Agreement are as follows: wage increase and signing bonus which is P130,000 one-time lump sum grant for the first year, in lieu of a wage increase inclusive of signing bonus; P1,900 per month wage increase on the second year effective Nov. 9, 2001; and P2,650 per month wage increase on the third year effective Nov. 9, 2002. – Mary Ann Reyes