Juju M. Empuerto
CEBU CITY, May 22 (PIA) -- “It has always been my passion to
revive and reinvigorate unionism. I am so happy to witness this important event
which is something I never experienced in the past when I joined in a workers’
union."
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE-7) OIC-regional
director Exequiel Sarcauga shared his thoughts during the signing of
the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the management of San
Miguel Brewery, Inc. Mandaue Supply Center and its workers’ union-- the
Kahugpongan sa Ligdong nga mga Mamumu-o (KLM) recently.
Speaking before the SMB management and union members at 1521 SMC
Center, SMC Complex, Sarcauga expressed joy over such development.
"For a relationship to work there must be trust, confidence,
and transparency, some of the important tenets necessary to also promote
industrial peace in the workplace," Sarcauga added.
DOLE-7 information officer Luchel Taniza said this is
the fastest and most speedy negotiation, the agreements between both
parties were reached and made final for only in a span of 2 hours and 45
minutes.
Sarcauga lauded SMB management under the leadership of
its President Roberto Huang who flew in from Manila to
witness the CBA signing. Sarcauga congratulated SMB for a job
well done.
He also wished that the kind of relationship they have
established among the workers will continue to thrive and will eventually be
emulated in all of Central Visayas.
Also witnessing the event were National Conciliation Board (NCB-7)
director Edmundo Mirasol and DOLE-7 assistant regional director Joel
Gonzales.
“KLM has proven itself to be a true partner of SMB Management.
Both parties have embraced a non-adversarial way of sorting out issues and
concerns,” said Mirasol.
Mirasol added with the kind of healthy and peaceful working
relationship among its management staff and those in the
rank-and-file, SMB has become instrumental for the exemplary performance
of the Mandaue City Tripartite Industrial Peace Council (TIPC).
DOLE7 assistant director Gonzales also commended the way SMB
management fosters, supports, and upholds industrial peace, “It is evident
that social dialogue is manifested in the workplace."
The issues and concerns if not fixed and negotiated at the plant
level could have elevated and grown into something very challenging to deal
with. But with the way they handled these concerns, SMB management and KLM are
able to prove that labor and management should be partners sharing a common interest
in the success and growth of their company, Gonzales added.
The CBA signing took place between SMB Brewery, Inc. Mandaue
Supply Center and KLM and is composed of 130 daily paid workers in the
manufacturing department with Mariano Gacrana as president.
)mbcn/jsme/PIA7-Cebu/with reports from Luchel Taniza/DOLE-7)