Carmen Copper mgt, labor union sign CBA

CEBU, Philippines - After months of trying to iron out issues with the workers’ labor union, Carmen Copper Corporation (CCC) has signed a Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Carmen Copper Workers Labor Organization (CCWLO) to ensure constant industrial peace and growth.

The management of CCC and some labor members of CCWLO, which comprises the negotiating team, signed the CBA yesterday morning at CCC Staff Clubhouse in Barangay Don Andres Soriano, Toledo City.

The CBA was signed in the presence of the National Conciliation and Mediation Board of Department of Labor and Employment-7 representatives.

CCC director Adrian Ramos expressed gratitude to the negotiating panel of the labor union and the management team.

“I am looking forward to a trusting cooperative relationship with you and the rest of CCWLO for many years to come,” said Ramos in his speech.

Out of 3,600 CCC regular employees, 2,400 are CCWLO union members.

Last October 2014, the CCWLO won the certificate elections to represent labor members of the mining corporation against Panaghiusa sa mga Mamumuo sa Carmen Copper (PAMCC).

CCWLO president William Ligutan said the corporation could not focus on productivity if the laborers and management have unresolved conflicts in the workplace.

“This is the time to correct the negative attitude of workers. The union will help to discipline eerie workers. The agreement helps workers to become efficient and productive,” he said.

Ramos expressed that the collective agreement with CCWLO, which is to take effect from 2015 to 2020, is a symbol of industrial peace.

“This is why we entered into this CBA to ensure that the interest of our labor is protected while maintaining the sustainability of our enterprise, especially during these trying times that our company is facing severe challenges most especially with the falling copper price,” he said.

CCC was regarded as the largest exporter among corporations in Cebu province. However, Ramos told reporters that copper prices started to fall in the fourth quarter of last year.

“Last 2014, the average copper price was three dollars per pound but today it dropped to two dollars per pound,” he said.

The decreased in copper price was estimated to be around 20 percent, the lowest drop since 2009.

“We understand that mutual understanding is crucial to achieving sustainable growth in our industry,” said Ramos, citing that they are finding ways to be more productive and cost efficient.

CCC is a wholly–owned subsidiary of Atlas Consolidated Mining and Development Corporation (Atlas). It restarted the Toledo mining operation in December 2008. — May B. Miasco/ATO (FREEMAN)