TIM eMagazine Issue 3 | Page 22

OFW News RCMB 11 settles PM case at Nakayama Technology Corporation Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda DimapilisBaldoz lauded the Davao Regional Conciliation and Mediation Branch (RCMB) for the successful settlement of the preventive mediation case involving Nakayama Technology Corporation and its union, Nakayama Organization of Workers. I n a report submitted to Secretary Baldoz by RCMB 11 OIC-Director Ma. Theresa Francisco, the union filed a preventive mediation case against the management, citing unfair labor practice. During the initial conference, the RCMB has validated that the specific issues raised by the union were violation of the labor code provision on check-off and of the collective bargaining agreement, specifically on the provision on dental benefits. Through the assistance of RCMB 11, represented by conciliator-mediator Aerrine Marie Reyes, the parties have reached a mutually acceptable terms of settlement on dental benefits under the CBA. It was agreed that the management will engage the services of a private dentist on specific dental procedures such as dental check-up, oral prophylaxis or mild dental cleaning, and simple tooth extraction per year. On the matter of agency fee or check-off, the parties agreed to schedule another conciliation conference to further discuss if the management should deduct from non-union members an agency fee equivalent to the union dues paid by the union members. On 1 September, the parties mutually agreed to submit the issue to a panel of voluntary arbitrators, namely Mr. Alfredo Olvida, Atty. Reynaldo Echavez, and Atty. Ruben Abarquez, for possible amicable settlement. “I commend RCMB 11, led by OIC-Director Francisco and conciliator-mediator Reyes who handled the case, for their commitment in helping maintain the favourable labor relations climate in the industry. Consensus building is at the core of labor dispute settlement, and this had been manifested in resolving the issue,” Baldoz said. The Secretary also commended Nakayama Technology Corporation for its full support and cooperation to the RCMB 11’s dispute resolution efforts which resulted to the settlement. Nakayama Technology Corporation, located at Barangay Cogon in Digos City, has a total workforce of 1,007. It is a manufacturer of bricks, granite wall panels, metal studs, and runners, and also serves as an IT export service firm of engineering plans and designs. Nakayama Organization of Workers, on the other hand, is affiliated with Southern Philippines Federation of Labor (SPFL). It represents, for collective bargaining purposes, the 151 rank and file union members. It was agreed that the management will engage the services of a private dentist on specific dental procedures such as dental checkup, oral prophylaxis or mild dental cleaning, and simple tooth extraction per year. 22