News Release (Draft)

Department of Labor and Employment

25 November 2014

In Compostela Valley, DOLEs NCMB averts strike at a packing plant

The National Conciliation and Mediation Board-Region 11 has averted an impending
strike at the Packing Plant 90 (PP90) of Sumifru Philippines, Inc., following successful
efforts to resolve the parties bargaining deadlock dispute, NCMB Executive Director
Reynaldo R. Ubaldo reported to Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda DimapilisBaldoz yesterday.
The efficacy of the DOLEs labor adjudication and arbitration has again preserved more
jobs and maintained a stable and just climate of industrial relations beneficial to both
workers and employers in the regions, Baldoz said.
The fast resolution of the labor case resulted to an economic package amounting to
P35,640 which benefitted 99 union workers.
Sumifru Philippines is located at Valencia 2, New Alegria, Compostela, Province of
Compostela Valley. It is engaged in banana packing with a total of 141 employees
under the supervision of Melvin Cocamas, Mobasco Multi-purpose Cooperative
Manpower Contractor of PP90, and Deogracias Mocam, MSD/IRD Head of Sumifru.
The UnionNagkakaisang Mamumuo sa Suyapa Farmaffiliated with National
Federation of Labor Unions- Kilusang Mayo Uno, represents the 100 rank-and-file
employees for collective bargaining purposes. It is headed by Vicente Barrios, Union
President.
Records show that on 9 October 2014, the Union filed a preventive mediation case for
unfair labor practices on the following grounds: (1) Illegal deduction of Pag-Ibig; (2) 1month worth of backwages due to non-implementation of Wage Order No. RTWPB-XI18; (3) job orders during non-packing operation; and (4) post-harvest method, which
resulted to the alleged poisoning of workers.

The amicable settlement of the dispute was realized through a series of conciliationmediation conferences presided by NCMB-Region 11 Officer In-Charge Director Ma.
Theresa M. Francisco, to which both parties acceded with the support and supervision
of the RCMB.

On 17 November 2014, the parties agreed to a settlement which includes the following:
(1) commitment to bring the issue of non-remittance of the members contribution to the
nearby offices of SSS, Pag-Ibig, and PhilHealth; (2) to abide with the findings and the
recommendation of DOLE Regional Office 11 on the result of assessment conducted
on 22 October at PP90 regarding the post-harvest chemical poisoning incident; and (3)
payment of backwages for the 99 employees of PP90 within 7 to 10 days as claimed by
the management.
Meanwhile, both parties are in agreement that the affected employees of the job basis
scheme will file a separate Single Entry Approach (SEnA) case against the
management for non-payment of holiday pay and rest premiums.
Baldoz lauded the prompt action of NCMBs corps of conciliator-mediators in settling the
dispute through peaceful means.
A good number of resolved cases of labour disputes only proves that amicable
settlement is indeed the best way to solved labour controversy, understanding the rights
of both management and workers is a key towards a better, efficient and more
productive workforce, Baldoz said.
For queries about this release, please contact the National Conciliation and Mediation
Board at 3324175 or email them at ncmb@dole.gov.ph.
END/hjtg