The notice of strike filed by the union of FPF Corporation which was subsequently downgraded to a Request for Technical Assistance was amicably settled on 7 August 2020. Regional Conciliation and Mediation Branch III OIC Director Cynthia C. Foncardas said that the move to downgrade the case into a technical assistance has encouraged the peaceful negotiations between the parties.

The union requested RCMB III for technical assistance on the economic provisions, specifically salary increase, rice subsidy, and leave benefits of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
“Parties were open in weighing the options in resolving differences to their proposals and counter proposals,” OIC Director Foncardas added.Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the union decided to revise its proposals on economic deadlocked issues, specifically wage increase, rice subsidy and leave benefits.

The parties signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) as proof that their Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) covering the period July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2023 was concluded. “Union agreed to push back the implementation of the wage increase next year rather than immediately to aid the company’s continuous operation and recovery in this time of pandemic,” Foncardas said. The three-year CBA between management and union has an estimated economic package of P30 million benefitting 2,787 union members of the rank-and-file employees of FPF Corporation.
The Request for Technical Assistance by FPF Corporation and Union was facilitated by Conciliator-Mediator Onofre H. Bautista.

FPF Corporation Employees Union is the certified sole and exclusive bargaining agent of the rank-and-file employees in the company with 2,787 members. The union is headed by its president, Ms. Mylene Sarmiento. The union is affiliated with the Philippine Trade and General Workers Organization (PTGWO). FPF Corporation is a manufacturer of leather bags for export. It is located at 11th Avenue, Freeport Area of Bataan, Mariveles, Bataan. It employs more or less 3,000 employees.

END/ Ma. Girlie D. Layug