Philex inks P421 million compensation with union

TUBA, Benguet – After successfully sealing a P717 million 5-year compensation package with its labor union, Philex Mining Corp. here recently signed a new P421.7 million 5-year compensation package with the Philex Mining Supervisory Employees Union signaling the renewal of its collective bargaining agreement (CBA) from 2010-2015.

Included in the hefty package will be the wage-related benefits amounting to P176.42 million: retirement benefits amounting to P230.9 million and non-wage benefits having a total of P14.4 million which includes rice subsidy, outside medical assistance, LPG subsidy, loyalty award, union welfare fund and loyalty incentives.

The new CBA was signed by Philex management led by Jose Ernesto C. Villaluna, president and chief operating officer, Engr. Eulalio Austin, senior vice president for operations and resident manager for Padcal operations, lawyer Enrique Rodriguez, Jr., vice president for legal and Mr. Benjie Garcia, vice president for human resource and the PMSEU led by Mr. Renerio C. Lardizabal, Jr., president and Mr. Ferdinand D. Generao, vice president. The CBA signing was witnessed by Rep. Raymond Democrito Mendoza of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) Party-list.

For the first year of the agreement, the 413 supervisors of the company and those assigned at the firm’s Poro Point installation will be receiving an increase of P1,500 in their wages; P1,500 increase for the second year and P1,700 hike for the third year of the CBA.

According to Lardizabal, the 11-month negotiation of the CBA illustrates the harmonious working relationship between management, labor and its supervisory unions to ensure its continuous operations in the light of bright prospects of the mining industry with the prevailing high demand for metal and high prices of metals.

Considered as an international mining company, Villaluna cited the new CBA should serve as a motivation for the unions to strive for the best in their quest for a sustained robust production considering that the same is the lifeblood of the company.

Both parties believe that proper attitudes are of major importance in the negotiations keeping in mind the interest of the company, the union members, and the Padcal mining operations/Poro Point supervisory employees in general

Because of the company’s superb performance over the past nine months, the Philex official claimed the comp
any is on a roll in trying to break its own record primarily due to the prevailing high metal prices and the increasing demand for metals in the different parts of the global village.

With the extension of the company’s mine life to 2020, Villaluna claimed there is a need for every Philex worker to strive for the best in order to sustain its good production output beneficial to the country’s economic growth.

Both the company and PMSEU believe that every member of the negotiating panel has the responsibility and obligation to their respective principals, thus, they are obligated to look into the proper implementation and execution of the provisions of the new CBA as soon as the same shall have been ratified by its members. -- Dexter A. See