Decent Work Practices Incorporated in the Collective Bargaining Agreements of Unionized Firms

https://doi.org/10.58870/berj.v9i1.66

Authors

  • Divina Edralin Graduate School of Business, San Beda University, Manila, Philippines
  • Ronald Pastrana Graduate School of Business San Beda University, Manila, Philippines

Keywords:

decent work practices, collective bargaining agreements, unions, labor standards, sustainable development goals

Abstract

We investigated the decent work practices related to employment at work, rights at work, social protection, and social dialogue incorporated in the Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) of unionized firms. We analyzed qualitatively the various provisions of each of the 20 CBAs of unionized firms from diverse industries in the Philippines that come from manufacturing, hotels, resorts, health, education, telecommunication, and public utilities. Findings revealed that the CBAs' provisions articulate many significant provisions on decent work practices. Specifically, the employment-at-work provisions revealed 14 main themes related to benefits, employee classification, wages, work hours, and opportunities for advancement. Eight key themes were identified on rights at work provisions: employee development, protection against discrimination, safeguards against company closure, sale, lease, transfer, or merger, protection against lay-offs and retrenchment, shared social responsibility, and the ban on labor contracting. On social protection provisions, twelve main themes emerged: maternity benefits, other social security benefits, job security, extended financial assistance and loan benefits, and medical/health care incentive programs. On social dialogue provisions, 11 main themes evolved about union-management communication, acknowledging the current labor union as the sole bargaining representative, the institution of grievance machinery, the union's right to information and consultation, as well as the presence of the Labor-Management Committee. The overall results underscored the important role of the union through its collective bargaining power in ensuring that decent work thrives in the workplace. We recommend implementing the “one union one industry policy” as stipulated in the Labor Code; strengthening the conceptual, technical, and behavioral skills of the union leaders; treating unions as social partners; and undertaking research studies that can benefit both the union and management during their CBA negotiations. These efforts can open more opportunities for unions and those workers covered by CBAs to actualize the ILO conventions of guaranteeing decent work that will transform people and organizations toward a sustainable mindset that includes justice, peace, and equality for the common good of the future generation of working people.

References

Ateneo de Manila University, & Ateneo de Manila Employees and Workers Union (2019). Collective bargaining agreement between Ateneo de Manila University, & Ateneo de Manila Employees and Workers Union, April 1, 2014- May 31, 2019. https://www.ateneo.edu/sites/default/files/2023-02/CBA%202014-2019.pdf

Bivens, J. et al. (2017). How today’s unions help working people: Giving workers the power to improve their jobs and unrig the economy. Economic Policy Institute. https://www.epi.org/publication/how-todays-unions-help-working-people-giving-workers-the-power-to-improve-their-jobs-and-unrig-the-economy/

Blustein, D., Lysova, E., & Duffy, R. (2023). Understanding decent work and meaningful work. Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, 10, 289-314. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-orgpsych-031921-024847

Bureau of Labor Relations-DOLE (2022). Existing collective bargaining agreements by industry. https://blr.dole.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/CBA-Q2-2022-BY-INDUSTRY.pdf

Centro Escolar University, & Centro Escolar University Faculty and Allied Workers Union, (2020). Collective bargaining agreements, April 1, 2003- March 31, 2020.

Century Park Hotel Employees Labor Union, & Maranaw Hotels and Resort Corporation (2020). Tenth rank and file collective bargaining agreement, July 1, 2020- June 30, 2025.

Club Punta Fuego, Inc., & Club Punta Fuego Supervisors Chapter (2022). Club Punta Fuego supervisory collective bargaining agreement, 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2026.

Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines, & Coca-Cola Misamis Oriental Plant Labor Union (2021). Collective bargaining agreement, January 1, 2021- December 31, 2023.

Creswell, J. and Creswell, D. (2014).Research design: qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (5th ed.). Sage Publications.

Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2018). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches (4th ed.). Sage Publications

Davao Holcim Employees and Workers Union-Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa (SENTRO), & Holcim Philippines, Inc. (2020). Collective bargaining agreement between Holcim Philippines, Inc. & Davao Holcim Employees and Workers Union (DAHEWU)-Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa (SENTRO), April 1, 2020- March 31, 2025.

Deakin, S., & Wilkinson, F.W. (2000). Labour law and economic theory. In H. Collins, P. Davies and R. Rideout (Eds.), Legal regulation of the employment relation. London, Kluwer Law International.

Dusit Hotel Employees Labor Union (DHELU), & Dusit Thani Philippines, Inc, (2022). Collective bargaining agreement, January 1, 2022- December 31, 2026.

Edralin, D. (2016). Good work through decent work: practices of sixteen unionized firms in the Philippines. DLSU Business & Economics Review, 26(1), 1-16.

Ghai, D. (2003). Decent work: Concepts and indicators. International Labour Review, 142(2), 113–145. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1564-913X.2003.tb00256.x

Ghai, D. (Ed.). (2006). Decent work: Objectives and strategies. Geneva, Switzerland: International Labour Organization.

ILO (1999). Decent work (Report of the Director-General during the International Labour Conference, 87th Session). International Labour Office.

ILO (2008). Collective bargaining and the decent work agenda. Rep., ILO, Geneva.

ILO (2008). ILO declaration on social justice for a fair globalization. Rep., ILO, Geneva.

ILO (2006). Changing patterns in the world of work. Report of the director-general. 95th Session. Geneva.

Indorama Ventures Packaging Philippines Corporation Labor Union - FCCU (IVPPC LABOR UNION-FCCU, & Indorama Ventures Packaging Philippines Corporation, (2020). Collective bargaining agreement, February 11, 2020 - February 10, 2025.

Foz, V. (ed.) (2015-2016). The Labor Code of the Philippines and Its implementing rules and regulations. Philippine Law Gazette.

Makati Medical Center Employees Association (MAMECEA), & Medical Doctors, Inc., (2007). Collective bargaining agreement, March 1, 2007- February 29, 2012.

Manila Peninsula Rank and File- NUWHRAIN, & Manila Peninsula Hotel, Inc., (2016). The ninth (9th) The Peninsula Manila rank and file collective bargaining agreement, December 16, 2016-December 15, 2021.

Manila Peninsula Supervisors' Chapter- NUWHRAIN, & Manila Peninsula Hotel, Inc., (2018). The sixth (6th) The Peninsula Manila supervisors’ collective bargaining agreement, January 1, 2018- December 31, 2022.

Nagkakaisang Mangagawa ng Buong Lohistika at Distribusyon ng Coca-Cola Southern at Central Mindanao- Federation and Cooperation of Cola, Beverages, and Allied Industry Unions (NMLDCC-SCM-FCCU), & Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines, Inc., (2021). Collective bargaining agreement by and between Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines, Inc. and Nagkakaisang Mangagawa ng Buong Lohistika at Distribusyon ng Coca-Cola Southern at Central Mindanao- Federation and Cooperation of Cola, Beverages, and Allied Industry Unions (NMLDCC-SCM-FCCU), February 1, 2021- January 31, 2026.

Pepsi Cola Employees and Workers Union (PEWU)-FCCU-SENTRO, & Pepsi Cola Products Philippines, Inc. (PCPPI), (2022). Collective bargaining agreement, July 1, 2022- June 30, 2025.

PLDT, & Manggagawa sa Komunikasyon ng Pilipinas, (2020). Collective bargaining agreement, November 9, 2020- November 8, 2025.

Philippine Plaza Rank and File- NUHWRAIN, & Philippine Plaza Holdings, Inc., (2018). Seventh rank and file collective bargaining agreement as amended, January 1, 2018- December 31, 2019.

Philippine Plaza Supervisors' Chapter- NUWHRAIN, & Philippine Plaza Holdings, Inc., (2017). Sofitel Philippine Plaza sixth supervisory collective bargaining agreement, July 1, 2017- June 30, 2022.

Samahang Manggagawa sa Coca-Cola (SAMACOKE-FCCU), & Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines, Inc., (2020). collective bargaining agreement, November 1, 2020- October 31, 2023.

Saunders, M., Lewis, P., & Thornhill, A. (2019). Research methods for business students (8th ed.). Pearson Education Limited.

Stiglitz, J. (2006). Making globalization work. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9841.Making_Globalization_Work.

Streeck, W., & Hassel, A. (2004). The crumbling pillars of social partnership. In H. Kitschelt, & W. Streeck (Eds.), Germany: beyond the stable state (pp. 101-124). London: Cass. https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:0168-ssoar-195085 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/01402380312331280708

Universal Robina Corporation Pampanga, & Cebu Industrial and Management Corporation Employees Union - Workers’ Solidarity Network (CIMCEU-WSN), (2023). Union’s collective bargaining agreement, June 16, 2023 – June 15, 2028.

`Workers’ Organization of Lami Foods Solidarity of Unions in the Philippines For Empowerment and Reforms (WOLF-SUPER), & Lami Food Products Corporation, (2022), collective bargaining agreement, July 1, 2022- June 30, 2027.

Zambales I Electric Cooperative Inc. (ZAMECO), & Zambales I Electric Cooperative Inc. Employees Association- POWER, (2022). Collective bargaining agreement, September 9, 2022- February 28, 2027.

Published

10/22/2024

How to Cite

Edralin, D., & Pastrana, R. (2024). Decent Work Practices Incorporated in the Collective Bargaining Agreements of Unionized Firms. Bedan Research Journal, 9(1), 83–111. https://doi.org/10.58870/berj.v9i1.66

Issue

Section

Articles

cITATION