Carmen copper corp. Union calls off strike

CEBU, Philippines - The Carmen Copper Corp. (CCC) labor union has called off its planned strike after majority of its concerns got settled during a conciliation meeting with the management.

With the agreement reached, Panaghiusa sa Mamumuo sa Carmen Copper Corporation-Alliance of Genuine Labor Organization (PAMCC-AGLO)  withdrew its notice of strike it filed against the company before the National Conciliation and Mediation Board-7 last Feb. 13.

Mark Cuizon, PAMCC-AGLO secretary, told a press conference that the management has agreed to three of their four major demands.

The remaining unresolved issue is on the alleged violations of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the workers and the company.

"This settlement is a victory for the union in general and specifically, it is a step forward in protecting job security at the mine," PAMCC-AGLO said in a press statement.

The CCC management yielded to the demands that it should regularize 250 casual employees by March 8, respect due process concerning the alleged infractions of 33 employees who are also union members, and for it to act on the complaints of union interference and unfair labor practice.

In a statement, CCC told The FREEMAN that the 250 employees would become part of the regular pool for construction projects.

"The issues raised are non-strikeable and the same shall be discussed in the Labor Management Relations Committee," it said.

On the alleged CBA vio-lations, both union and management agreed to put it on preventive mediation, with the NCMB-7 setting a hearing on it on March 13.

Cuizon said that if this concern remains unsettled after March 13, there is a possibility that they would refile the notice of strike.

The union's demands under the said issue include an increase in the basic pay of rank and file employees.

"Di gyud ikalimod nga kami gagmay gyud mi og sweldo (It cannot be denied that our salaries are small); and to think we are highly-skilled employees, " he said.

Members of the union's board of directors (BOD), who were also present during the press conference, said the employees deserve a much higher pay considering that they greatly contribute in the income of the company.

"Pareha ra mi og tina-i sa mga (We also have needs similar to those occupying) managerial positions pero grabe kalayo ang (but there is a huge) discrepancy sa among sweldo (in our salary with theirs)," said Edgar Loayan, a BOD member.

Cuizon said those with managerial positions recently received a six-percent increase in their basic pay while rank and file employees received none.

"Bisan mumho na lang wa gyud mi (They did not give us even a minute) increase nga unta ang maong singot ug kusog mao man gyud ang nagpadagan sa minahan (when it is through our sweat and strength that the mine is running)," he said.

According to the union, a managerial emplo-yee receives at least P25,000 a month while a rank and file employee  only gets P10,000 to P11,000.

The union is asking for a basic pay of at least P15,000 per month – a salary it thinks would provide ordinary workers with a decent life.

"The union remains  vigilant in the implementation of the settlement agreement. We remain committed to industrial peace on the basis of respect for workers' rights and welfare, especially on compliance with the existing CBA between the union and the company," read the union's press statement.  (FREEMAN)