PCBSI, ALU starts negotiation on collective bargaining

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines - The management of Prudential Customs Brokerage and Services Incorporated (PCBSI) and the Associated Labor Union (ALU) had started their negotiations for a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) Thursday. The negotiation was preceded by a joint media conference, which was held at the Bethel Guest House to inform the public about some of the important aspects that may be included in the agreement. Attending the conference were PCBSI Dumaguete Manager Leo Tobianosa and PCBSI Legal Department Head Joel Obar. ALU District Coordinator Felizardo Calimpong and some worker leaders at the pier were also present during the event. Obar explained that the CBA is one of the democratic processes in the labor industry and it calls for the meeting of the people behind management and labor, who are in a better position to determine the rules for wages, hours of work, adjustment of grievances, conduct and discipline in the workplace and other matters that the parties may deem appropriate and necessary for a better and improved delivery of services to the public. Under the Labor Code, a CBA has a life span of five years except the economic provisions, which may be renegotiated after the period of three years. "Under an environment of good faith and mutual understanding and with the indispensable guidance of the Almighty, we are confident that within a reasonable period of time, PCBSI and the union will finally seal and sign a CBA with public interest as its final and penultimate beneficiary," stressed Obar. On the other hand, ALU-TUCP's Felizardo Calimpon said he expects the management to look and understand the plight of the workers. He said he could not predict the outcome of the negotiations, adding that he hopes to come up with concrete results, which will redound to the benefit of the workers. - Sun.Star