DOLE lauds Coca Cola Davao labor settlement

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) lauded the settlement of labor dispute between between the Coca-Cola Femsa (KOF) Davao Plants 1 and 2 and the Samahang Manggagawa sa Coca-Cola (SAMACOKE).
In a statement, KOF Davao Plant Manager Florencio M. Caballero, KOF HR and Corporate Affairs Director Juan Carlos Dominguez and SAMACOKE President Alfredo P. Punay Jr signed the settlement agreement along with DOLE secretary Rosalinda D. Baldoz together with DOLE Undersecretary for Labor Relations, Social Dialogue and Internal Affairs Rebecca C. Chato, DOLE XI Regional Director Joffrey M. Suyao and the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) 11 acting director Ma. Theresa M. Francisco last March 2.
Both parties have come to a compromise agreement on their work schedules and payment.
In their speeches, both Punay and Caballero  expressed their gratitude on this settlement and looked forward for a strengthened work relationship in the Davao
For his part, Dominguez said the settlement will be the beginning of the new chapter since the dispute has come to an end.
“This is a time for love, construction, and volunteering…that is our invitation and our commitment to the management, the union and the department of labor and employment, this is a time to build together to construct and the time for war and the time for death and the time for sadness is over,” Dominguez said.
Baldoz also thanked SAMACOKE  for setting as an example for other unions.
“Nagpapasalamat ako kay sir Punay at ang kanyang negotiating team (I thank sir Punay and his negotiating team) because he let the Davao Plant pave the way and take the lead in this, after they have seen how they have done it the other plants will just follow and fall into their proper places,” she said.
She said this is the first settled labor dispute among KOF plants’ union in the country.
Baldoz also lauded the DOLE team who rendered technical assistance and handled the labor dispute headed by Chato for their success. She said that it took about five months before the two parties had come to an agreement.
“It was not easy. We worked together since September 28, 2015. During that time we are looking for mutually acceptable solution, I would say that it was patience from both sides: mutual trust and respect that we shared for the settlement agreement on what matters on this day,” Baldoz said.
She said  the relationship between KOF and DOLE was made stronger along the way.
Baldoz added that she had to cancel previous commitments just to join the ceremonial signing of KOF and SAMACOKE.
“I had to exit two previous commitments and have to dedicate those to other officials just to show that our commitment from day one has not fade and was made stronger by the signing of the agreement today. It is a complete package now. Both sides declared to fast track the early settlement and designing of the agreement today,” she said. Armando B. Fenequito Jr.