The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) yesterday reported that it had recorded the highest number of signed collective bargaining agreements (CBA) in Region 13 or Caraga Region in one week’s time during the month of March.
Citing a report from the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB), Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said in a statement that three unions were able to finalize their respective CBAs with an accumulated worth of at least P5 million. “The signing of the three CBA’s in a single month is unprecedented. Actually, all three CBAs were signed within a week,” Baldoz said.
The first to finalize its negotiation with its management was the Prudential union, Surigao Dockworkers Labor Union-NAFLU-KMU on March 12 with a CBA worth P2.3 million for its 113 members.
It was followed by Pinagbuklod na Lakas ng Manggagawa sa Plantasyon ng API-NAFLU-KMU , which was able to sign its CBA worth P3.1 million for its 104 employees.
Both labor unions initially faced a deadlock in their negotiations, which led them to file a notice of strike at the Regional Conciliation Mediation Board in Region 13 last year before undergoing the mandatory mediation.
Meanwhile, Baldoz also reported Agumil Philippines Inc. was also able to sign its CBA worth P680,000 for its 42 employees.

Source: Manila Bulletin - April 12, 2013