400 workers of Benguet mining firm go on strike over wage dispute

BAGUIO CITY — Around 400 underground and surface workers of Philex Mining Corp. at its Padcal mine in Tuba, Benguet, went on strike on Oct. 11 after collective bargaining negotiations between management and the workers’ union broke down.

The work stoppage began between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. during the first shift, according to labor representatives.

The strike followed a Sept. 22 referendum in which 757 of 863 participating union members voted to authorize a strike. The workers completed the mandatory seven-day cooling-off period on Oct. 8 while government-assisted conciliation efforts continued.

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During conciliation meetings in Baguio, the National Mines and Allied Workers Union (NAMAWU) rejected management’s proposal for a variable wage increase tied to ore production.

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Union president Allan Sagun said the workers were seeking a wage increase to help them cope with inflation and the rising cost of living.

The union had initially scheduled the strike for Tuesday, Oct. 13, to coincide with proceedings at the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) central office in Intramuros, Manila.

READ: Philex Mining posts P200-m first-half net loss

However, after management issued a memorandum directing employees not to join the planned work stoppage, the union moved the strike two days earlier to protect its members from possible disciplinary action or being marked absent without official leave, labor representatives said.

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Formal conciliation talks between management and the union are scheduled to resume on Monday, Oct. 12, at the NCMB central office in Manila.

Labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) Cordillera expressed support for the strike, condemning what it described as management’s attempt to impose an inadequate wage offer during negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA).

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“Makatuwiran ang kahilingan ng mga manggagawa, lalo na ang pagtaas ng sahod para makaagapay sa tindi ng implasyon” (The workers’ demands are reasonable, especially the call for a wage increase to help them cope with rising inflation), KMU Cordillera spokesperson Mike Cabangon said in a statement.

Cabangon said workers were also bearing the brunt of rising prices of basic goods and services.

He said KMU supported the workers’ demands for higher wages and the protection of their labor rights.

In a statement on Sunday, Philex Mining Corp. said it was aware of the strike and respected workers’ right to organize and bargain collectively.

The company said it remained committed to resolving the issues through good-faith dialogue and in coordination with the NCMB.

Philex said managers and supervisors would take over operations, along with rank-and-file workers who voluntarily chose not to join the strike.

It added that the safety and welfare of its employees, contractors and host communities remained its priority.

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The company declined to comment further on the negotiations, citing the ongoing conciliation process. /mcm