Philex Mining Corp. and its rank-and-file workers’ union have reached a settlement to end a labor dispute, paving the way for a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) that covers a period thorough 2030.
The mining company and the Philex Padcal Rank-and-File Union, affiliated with the National Mines and Allied Workers Union (NAMAWU Local 101), signed a Settlement Agreement on Oct. 14 during a conciliation-mediation conference at the National Conciliation and Mediation Board-Cordillera Administrative Region (NCMB-CAR).
Until recently, Padcal is Philex’s only operating gold and copper mine. Its life has been extended several times as the company awaits the operation of Silangan mine.
Under the agreement, both parties committed to amicably conclude their CBA covering Jan. 2, 2025, to Jan. 1, 2030. The union will immediately lift its strike, while both sides agreed against retaliatory action arising from the dispute.
The settlement came three days after NAMAWU launched a strike on Oct. 11 over an alleged collective bargaining deadlock, despite ongoing negotiations facilitated by NCMB-CAR.
Philex said it was still determining how many union members joined the strike. However, about 65% of rank-and-file employees and supervisors scheduled to work reported for duty on the strike’s first day, according to the company.
The union voted on Sept. 30 to authorize its officers to call a strike and submitted the referendum results to NCMB-CAR the following day. The Department of Labor and Employment also invited company and union officials to conciliation-mediation talks to resolve the impasse.
Under the settlement timetable, NCMB-CAR will present the agreement at the union’s general assembly on Oct. 15. Management is scheduled to submit an initial CBA draft by Oct. 19, followed by the union’s proposed revisions and inputs on Oct. 21.
Both parties will also establish grievance machinery and procedures before signing the finalized CBA on Oct. 26. The union will submit the agreement for ratification by its members on Oct. 30.
The settlement marks a step toward formalizing a new labor agreement, with final ratification still pending.
