Mediation for Veco encouraged

CEBU, Philippines – The National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) 7th Division encourages the Visayas Clergy Discernment Group (VCDG) to mediate in the dispute between the Visayan Electric Company (VECO) management and the Visayan Company Employees Union (VECEU).

Presiding Commissioner Violeta Bantug said that even if the case was already certified for arbitration by the Department of Labor and Employment secretary, they would still prefer mediation.

The VCDG offered to mediate on November 15, 2010. But the VECO management refused, citing that the case has already been certified for arbitration by the labor department.

Bantug, in her letter to Bishop Gerardo Alminaza, VCDG Head convenor, stated that even if the case was already certified by the NLRC, they would still like to exert efforts “to arrive at a peaceful settlement” considering their mandate to help the parties in obtaining a “just, expeditious and inexpensive resolution and settlement of labor disputes.”

She added that to be legally binding, the result of the mediation must be submitted to the NLRC for them to make the necessary order that would put a peaceful end to the dispute.

NLRC’s letter to Alminaza was a response to the VCDG’s question on whether mediation was still allowed even if the case has been already certified by the NLRC for compulsory arbitration.

Alminaza, however, encourages both parties to sit down with the clergy or an alternative mediation group which will include VCDG to arrive at a peaceful and just resolution.

VECEU had filed a notice of strike against the management, citing union busting and harassment. The union members voted yes to a strike but during the cooling off period, the labor department stepped in and assumed jurisdiction. (FREEMAN) -Mylen P. Manto/JPM (The Freeman)