The management and the union of the Lipa factory of Nestlé Philippines, Inc. recently signed a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) for the three-year period from July 26, 2010 to July 25, 2013.
Covering some 270 members affiliated with the Manggagawa ng Nestlé Lipa Factory Union, the CBA provides for a P5,250 wage increase for all bargainable employees spread over three years: P2,000 effective July 26,2010; P1,250 effective July 26 2011; and P2,000 effective July 26, 2012. The agreement also stipulates significant benefit improvements in meal allowance, Christmas package, birthday gift as well as improvements in medical and maternity benefits of employees and their dependents, and in educational and other loans.
The CBA signing was attended by Nestlé Philippines top management led by chairman and CEO John Miller, technical director Campo van Beek, Corporate HR Director Gid Manuel and CPW Regional Director Wen-Wen Wang, officials of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) led by Regional Director Ricardo Martinez, the PTGWO Federation represented by national president and Commissioner Vie Balais, the management team of the Nestlé Lipa Factory led by factory manager Noel Lonzanida, and the Manggagawa ng Nestle Lipa Factory officers led by its president Rolan Mercado.
The NPI management said that the CBA underscores the company’s continuing confidence in the Lipa factory’s operations. Its conclusion shows the commitment of both factory management and members of the bargaining unit to deliver results and take productivity to greater heights. In announcing the Lipa factory’s new CBA, Nestle corporate HR director Gid Manuel said, “The process and the resulting agreement proved the commitment of both parties to peaceful and transparent discussions, and that in the end, both parties remained bound not only by the options acceptable to the members of the bargaining unit but by the common good and interest of the employees, their families, and the company as well.”