PRESS RELEASE
National Conciliation and Mediation Board
July 28, 2017

National Conciliation and Mediation Board Executive Director Shirley M. Pascual announced today the settlement of the labor dispute involving Eurotiles Industrial Corporation and its union.

Citing a report from RCMB IV-A Dir. Feliciano R. Orihuela, Jr., Pascual said the company and its union, the Samahan ng Mangagawa ng Eurotiles – Alliance of Nationalist and Genuine Labor Organizations (SME – ANGLO) agreed to settle on July 21, 2016, following the successful conciliation efforts facilitated by Conciliator-Mediator Cynthia C. Foncardas.

On April 25, 2017, the union filed a notice of strike case against the company on the issue of alleged unfair labor practices specifically union busting, illegal retrenchment and harassment.

Pascual said the company was forced to retrenched employees due to the claim of the management that the company suffered losses for the past years and cannot compete with imported ceramic tiles from China. The ceramic industry faces certain problems associated with the importation of ceramic tile with much modern and innovative design. Eighty nine union & non-union members were retrenched by the management in 2 batches. Fifty employees were retrenched on the first batch and another 39 were retrenched on the 2nd batch, which were implemented on April 29, 2017 and May 29, 2017, respectively. Of the 89 workers retrenched, 68 are union members. The company paid a month salary to the affected employees in lieu of the one month notice prior to the implementation of the retrenchment. The separation package includes 13 days pay/year of service, pro-rated 13th month pay and unused leave.

On July 21, 2017, after several conciliation conferences parties agreed to settle their dispute amicably. She said the 89 members of the rank and file were assured to receive a separation package worth P 15.35M and an additional P 2.4M monetary benefits for the 68 union members.

Pascual cited the efforts of conciliator-mediator Cynthia C. Foncardas for the settlement of the dispute and lauded the parties for choosing a peaceful settlement rather than pushing through with a strike. The agreement also manifest the trust and confidence of the parties in the objectivity and sense of fairness of the handling Conciliator-Mediator.

“This once again demonstrates that win win solution is still the best option in labor dispute resolution. Clearly, conciliation-mediation is working to the advantage and benefit of our country’s workers and employers thru the amicable settlement of labor disputes,” Pascual added.
The company, Eurotiles Industrial Corporation is engaged in the production of ceramic tiles and tiles adhesives. It is located in Biga, Silang, Cavite. It has more or less 200 employees and is represented by its President, Mr. Paquito Ngo. – Diadema Aquino Aguirre.