Philex Mining Corp. and the union representing rank-and-file workers at its Padcal mine have signed a settlement agreement to resolve their labor dispute, with the union required to immediately lift its strike.
The agreement was reached during an October 14 conciliation-mediation conference at the National Conciliation and Mediation Board-Cordillera Administrative Region (NCMB-CAR). It covers the conclusion of the parties’ collective bargaining agreement (CBA) for the period January 2, 2025 to January 1, 2030.
Under the settlement, Philex and the National Mines and Allied Workers Union (NAMAWU Local 101) agreed to settle the dispute amicably. The agreement also states that neither side will take retaliatory action against the other over the labor dispute.
The parties also set a timetable for completing the CBA process.
NCMB-CAR is scheduled to present the settlement agreement during the union’s general assembly on October 15. Management will then prepare the initial CBA draft by October 19 for union review.
The union is expected to complete its review and submit proposed revisions and inputs by October 21. Philex and NAMAWU will also meet that day to discuss and establish grievance machinery and procedures.
Both sides are scheduled to sign the finalized CBA on October 26, before it is submitted to union members for ratification on October 30.
The settlement follows weeks of escalating labor tensions at Padcal.
NAMAWU members voted on September 30 to authorize union officers to proceed with a strike and submitted the strike-vote results to NCMB-CAR on October 1. Philex later said the strike was initiated on October 11 over what the company described as an alleged bargaining deadlock.
The Department of Labor and Employment subsequently invited Philex and the union to a conciliation-mediation conference on October 12. Following that meeting, the company said it would prepare an improved CBA offer for another balloting process.
Philex had also said during the dispute that it would continue to ensure the safe and orderly management and operation of the Padcal mine.
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Will the settlement and new CBA timetable bring a lasting end to the labor dispute at Philex Mining’s Padcal operations?
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