GSIS thrift bank settles with employees, CBA signed

State pension fund Government Service Insurance System’s (GSIS) thrift bank unit GSIS Family Bank said it has resolved issues with its employees union, following the recent signing of a collective-bargaining agreement (CBA).

The negotiations started in early 2010 during the previous administration. GSIS Family Bank chairman Gigi Berberabe-Martinez, who also sits on the GSIS board of trustees, said the signing of the CBA signifies a fresh start for the bank which now has a newly-constituted board.

“We consider ourselves a family bank not only because of our size but because we treat our stakeholders, our employees especially, as our family. As a family, we need to resolve issues and conflicts to come up with a mutually acceptable and beneficial solution, and this is what we just achieved,” Martinez said.

She also said with the CBA now in place, the new board, together with the management and employees of GSIS Family Bank, can now work toward achieving more growth and productivity for the bank.

The recently signed CBA granted salary increases for years 2010 through 2012, as well as increased monthly rice allowance for the said years.

The bank undertakes to review the existing salary structure to ensure just and equitable compensation. As agreed, there shall also be continuing discussions pertaining to the implementation of the provisions of the CBA.

Signing the CBA on behalf of the employees union are Judith Jocelyn P. Martinez (President), Sandy J. Solis, Cezar Matthew P. Lagman, Ma. Cindy L. Lamayo, Reylina G. Ilano, Khristine A. Elvina, Florificacion A. Burgos, and Atty. Joseph T. Entero, as the legal counsel. Danessa O. Rivera, Daily Tribune