The preventive mediation case involving Evergreen Farms has been amicably settled through the efforts of RCMB XI, newly-installed NCMB OIC Executive Director Shirley M. Pascual yesterday reported to Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz. 

Pascual said RCMB XI Conciliator-Mediator Aerrine Marie R. Reyes, the officer handling the case, terminated the conciliation proceedings after the parties agreed on the reinstatement without back wages of union member Roger Namar.

Namar was among the employees affected when the company closed Packing House No. 100 as a result of a cost-cutting measure implemented by the company in November 2013.

Namar contested his retrenchment, saying he was assigned in Packing House No. 28. In view of this, the union filed a preventive mediation case on April 24, 2015, citing grave abuse of management prerogative and violation of the CBA.

Management offered Namar the equivalent of one-half month salary for every year of service, but the parties failed to reach agreement.

To settle the issue, the union proposed the reinstatement of Namar to his former position and release of his unclaimed 13th month pay and other benefits.

Management welcomed the proposal, and in the final conciliation meeting on July 21, 2015, the parties agreed to terminate the case, with both mutually consenting to the reinstatement without back wages of Namar and the release of his proportionate benefits for 2013.

Pascual commended Reyes for her efforts in amicably settling the case. “Con-Med Reyes has prevented the dispute from maturing into a more serious conflict which could have affected the other operations of the company,” she said.

“The amicable settlement of the dispute ensured the company of continuing industrial peace,” she added.

Evergreen Farms Inc. Workers Union – Associated Labor Unions (ALU) represents the rank-and-file employees of the company for collective bargaining purposes. It has 40 members led by Mr. Veronico Pamisa, the union president.

Lead Export and Agro-Development Corporation – Evergreen Plantation Operations is engaged in planting and exporting premium quality Cavendish bananas for international markets. It is located at La Libertad, Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte.

END/ Dennis M. Galorio, LIO, RCMB XI