Carmen Copper lauded for good labor-management relations

CEBU, Philippines — The Carmen Copper Corporation (CCC) and the Carmen Copper Workers Labor Organization (CCWLO) won a national recognition for having harmonious labor and management relations.

The recognition they received is “Outstanding Grievance Machinery for Industrial Peace Award" for 2017 given by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB).

The awarding ceremony was held during the 11th National Labor-Management Cooperation (LMC) Convention at the Cebu Grand Convention Center last November 24.

Carmen Copper and CCWLO bested six other finalists from across the country and emerged as the lone winner in the said category despite being the first time to participate in the search.

“This is the pride of the union. With this feat, we are able to prove that we are a responsible union; that we protect the common interest of our members and the company. Through education, we are able to inculcate discipline among our members and reduce abuses while we continue to look after their well-being,” said William S. Ligutan, CCWLO president.

Ligutan said that this harmonious relationship with the management made it possible to settle conflicts on the table or at the plant level.

“We have done this in the last three years and we will maintain it in the years to come. With engaged and disciplined members and supportive management, more benefits shall come to the union members,” Ligutan said.

Back in the early 1990s, reports claim there were labor troubles that caused a rift between the labor force and the management. It was still managed by then by Atlas Consolidated Mining and Development Corporation and was hailed as the third largest copper mine in the world.

With other factors at play, the operations in the mining pits were indefinitely suspended beginning in 1994 and began operations again a decade after under Carmen Copper.

In the light of the new award, things between the labor force and the management have been patched and mended.

Carmen Copper and the CCWLO have an existing Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) which is in effect from January 2015 to 2020. A grievance machinery and arbitration procedure is clearly embodied in the CBA so it can resolve grievances in the workplace.

This grievance management provides employees due process by giving them opportunities to present proof and evidence to support their side of the investigation.

“We do not disregard human dignity and respect for due process principles because it is something that all of us collaboratively work together so that we can achieve genuine industrial peace and harmony,” said Mia Carmela Magsaysay-Cuenco, Carmen Copper's Assistant Vice President for Human Resource Administration.

It has resulted in employees’ improvement of behavior as the grievance committee has successfully impressed upon them that it is serious in imposing discipline and that discipline is a corrective measure and not a punitive action. This also contributed to improve workplace performance and productivity.

From January 2015 until March 2017, the grievance committee has recorded 2,481 cases, 96 percent of which have been resolved and none has reached voluntary arbitration.

In 2015, out of the 1,131 resolved cases, 1,124 were resolved at step 1 plant level or within seven to 10 days. Lesser cases were recorded the following year and most were also resolved at step 1.

“We are thankful for your efforts to harmonize your differences and bank on your strengths to be able to sustain a peaceful relationship. May this accomplishment give you more courage and inspiration to continue finding ways to maintain a harmonious relationship. Kudos to Carmen Copper for being awarded as the 2017 Outstanding GM for Industrial Peace!” said NCMB-7 OIC-Director Gemma R. Poloyapoy.  (FREEMAN)