Mirant employees, mgm’t face off today

The management and employees of Mirant Philippines Corp. will face off for a conciliatory meeting at the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Friday.

In a press statement, Mirant employees said a prior meeting was called by DOLE director Reynaldo Ubaldo last Monday to resolve the issues between them and the company’s management before Mirant’s assets in the country are eventually sold.

Mirant Philippines is set to be auctioned off to at least four bidders by Nov. 17 this year.

Some 1,200 employees of Mirant Philippines had sought Labor Secretary Arturo Brion’s help in mediating to avert a possible labor dispute that may disrupt plant operations.

Due to management’s failure to send a representative last Monday, the DOLE, through a notification letter signed by Undersecretary Luzviminda Padilla, reset the meeting between management and the employees to Nov. 17.

In a statement, Mirant’s management said it begged off from the proposed meeting last Monday, citing conflict in schedule and pointed out that it would attend instead its pre-set meeting with the National Conciliation and Mediation Board on Friday.

It stressed that the NCMB mediation process is voluntary. "That fact that we are actively participating in it shows our desire to help those employees involved understand our position. We are cooperating because we believe we must clarify certain matters and set them to rest once and for all," the statement said.

Mirant employees reiterated their position that all 1,200 workers be paid out separation packages, upon sale of the Philippine assets, in accordance with company policy.

According to the employees, this is to protect their years of service to the company and give the new owners the option start from a clean slate with employees who they intend to rehire. Those who will not be rehired will, at least, have their years of service protected by severance payments.

"Employees will only pull the case out of DOLE and agree to an amicable settlement if management agrees to pay separation packages to all employees upon the sale. That is the bottom line," a company source said.

The source added that employees are willing to sign a transition agreement if paid a severance package to ensure a smooth turn-over and non disruption of plant operations.

The sale of Mirant Philippines is expected to fetch close to $3 billion for its parent company, Atlanta-based Mirant Corp.