Labor disputes in St. Luke’s, Goldilocks settled

MANILA, Philippines – The National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) has ended labor disputes at 2 prominent companies in the country, resulting to hefty economic packages for workers.

The biggest economic package, worth P274.5 million, resulted from a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between the management and workers of the country’s largest hospital, St. Luke’s Medical Center.

“For the 2010-2012 duration of the CBA, the hospital will enjoy undisrupted, peaceful business operation while the company’s 1,832 workers and their families will savor the fruits of their labor because of the settlement,” said NCMB Executive Director Reynaldo Ubaldo in a report to Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz.

NCMB National Capital Region Director Ma. Elena Hernandes and conciliator-mediators Ma. Yolanda Miñoria and Angelita Narvaez helped facilitate the crafting of the CBA.

Goldilocks celebrate

A recent labor dispute between the workers and management of Goldilocks Bakeshop also ended in a new agreement.

Among the issues resolved were provisions in workers’ contributions in the Social Security System, Pag-IBIG and PhilHealth.

The management also agreed to give the workers advances representing a portion of their 13th month pay and the equivalent amount of their vacation and sick leaves for 2010.

The members of Bukluran ng Independenteng Samahan na Itinatag sa Goldilocks went on strike last March 11 to protest alleged labor rights violations such as union busting and illegal dismissal of workers.

Baldoz described the settled cases as “a maturing relationship between labor and management. I am sure both parties are beginning to realize their increasing roles in resolving labor disputes without too much government intervention, which is exactly one of the reforms being initiated by the DOLE in consistent with the directives of President Benigno S. Aquino III in the area of labor relations.” –abs-cbnNEWS.com