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Kooll gives side on labor row

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BY CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO

Kooll Company Inc. has complied with its duty to negotiate in good faith with the PACIWU United KCI Labor Union, during the course of the collective bargaining negotiations with the union, a press release from the company said.

Despite the challenges posed by the current situation involving the COVID-19 pandemic which causes risks to people’s health and safety, the company continued to negotiate with the union. It is therefore, lamentable that despite the diligent efforts exerted by the company, the union decided to declare a bargaining deadlock and filed a notice of strike, it said.

Contrary to the union’s claim, the company made reasonable counter-proposals both on the economic and non-economic provisions of the proposed CBA submitted by the union and the company, and has manifested its willingness to engage in an amicable discourse with the union.

Unfortunately, the company was not given the opportunity to explain and discuss its counter-proposals to the proposed CBA agreement; and the union outrightly rejected said counter-proposals without the benefit of a dialogue, the press release said.

In addition, as opposed to the union’s claims that the company’s counter-proposal contains zero increase in the salaries of the workers, the company’s proposed salary scale actually incorporates the salary increase for its employees. However, the union without even hearing the explanation for said proposed salary scale, summarily rejected it, it added.

Sadly, with the union demands to be heard, it appears that it is not amenable to lend an ear, which is essential during CBA negotiations – a two-way process where both parties deserve to be heard.

The company respects the right of the union, including their right to conduct a strike and their freedom of expression. However, the company denounces the union’s statements that the counter-proposals meticulously prepared by the management are “documents of oppression”, that it reduced the negotiation into a “collective begging agreement” when no dialog even happened, and that the company engages in dilatory tactics.

At this time of the pandemic and while the entire country is experiencing a health crisis, having two out of the three members of the negotiating panel of the management infected with COVID-19 virus and having to temporarily lockdown an office due to exposures to the virus should not be called dilatory tactics.

The health risks posed by COVID-19 are real and not imagined. These hurtful accusations are uncalled for and insensitive at this time and the company appeals for compassion and understanding.

Finally, notwithstanding the declaration of bargaining deadlock by the union and filing of a notice of strike, the company upholds its duty to negotiate in good faith and remains open for talks with the union.*

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