Region IV-A – Interbev Philippines, Inc. and its union, Interbev Philippines, Inc. Workers Independent Union (IPIWIU) – Samahan at Alyansa ng mga Unyong May Dangal (SAHUD), concluded their first Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the assistance of the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) on 06 February 2024. The conciliation team comprised Executive Director Maria Teresita D. Lacsamana-Cancio, RCMB IVA Director Edgar G. Aquino, and Conciliator-Mediator Michelle Jean O. Reñido.

Interbev Philippines, Inc. and Interbev Philippines, Inc. Workers Independent Union (IPIWIU) finalize the provisions of their first ever Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) on 06 February 2024
Prior to the filing of the Notice of Strike (NOS), the parties discussed and negotiated the collective bargaining agreement at the plant-level. When it reached the deadlock, the Union availed the preventive mediation service in the hope of settling the unresolved issues. Parties were able to reduce the number of deadlocked items but failed to conclude the CBA.
When the case was filed under the NOS, 32 CBA items were proposed by the Union and clustered into 6 packages for negotiation. Several variations of the proposals and packages were floated in the beginning of the negotiation, however, Union consistently compared its benefits with Asia Brewery Inc. (ABI), a sister company of Interbev Philippines, Inc.
After nine (9) grueling conferences and with the unwavering patience and technical support provided by the NCMB and the parties’ cooperation and willingness to compromise despite differing interests, parties concluded their maiden CBA. Parties were able to agree on 18 economic and 4 political deadlock provisions during the conciliation mediation proceedings before the NCMB. These are aside from other CBA items agreed upon at the plant-level discussions.
Among the CBA salient provisions are wage increases of P30.00 a day for the first year and P35.00 a day for the second and third years and signing bonus of P10,000.00 per employee. In relation to the Union’s welfare, Management committed to provide a space within the company premises to serve as the union office. The space shall include chairs, tables, and reconditioned computers with a subsidy of P13,500.00 a year. In addition, parties agreed to union leaves equivalent to 250 days a year.
Per Union’s demand, at least six (6) provisions, i.e. separation pay, optional retirement, calamity pay, company awards, membership in union, and loss of membership, were at par with the benefits given to the ABI employees.
The monetary benefits from the economic provisions are estimated to amount to P12,000,000.00, benefiting 145 employees. Further, Management agreed to give additional P700.00 to each covered employee on top of the CBA benefits.

END/eloisa aquino