Philex resolves labor strike

Workers get P75 daily wage adjustment  

MANILA, Philippines — Philex Mining Corp. said yesterday it has resolved the labor dispute at its Padcal mine in Benguet, after union members and company officials reached a settlement agreement.

In a disclosure, the mining firm said it had finalized a five-year labor settlement with the Philex National Mines and Allied Workers Union (NAMAWU), where both parties agreed on a P75 daily wage adjustment by next year.

Philex confirmed to The STAR that Padcal workers would be entitled to a P30 daily wage increase starting Jan. 2, 2027. It will also implement a retroactive P23 wage hike starting Jan. 2, 2025 and an additional P22 daily increase on Jan. 2, 2026.

A signing bonus of P3,500 will also be granted to all rank-and-file employees in the Padcal mine and Poro operation in San Fernando, La Union.

Both parties have agreed to amicably settle for the conclusion of their collective bargaining agreement (CBA) covering the period Jan. 2, 2025 to Jan. 1, 2030.

This follows the conciliation-mediation conference by the National Conciliation and Mediation Board-Cordillera Autonomous Region (NCMB-CAR) held on Oct. 14.

Philex said it would prepare the initial draft of the CBA by Oct. 19 for the union’s review. NAMAWU, in turn, is expected to complete its review and submit its proposed revisions and comments by Oct. 21.

“Upon the signing of the settlement agreement, the union shall immediately lift the strike. No retaliatory action shall be undertaken by both parties on each other on account of the labor dispute,” Philex added.

The mining firm said both parties will also meet to discuss and establish grievance machinery and procedures.

It noted that the finalized CBA is scheduled to be signed by Oct. 26, with the union to submit the CBA for ratification for its members on Oct. 30.

The NCMB-CAR also presented the settlement agreement during the union’s general assembly.

Workers at the company’s Padcal mine had staged a strike last Oct. 11 amid a deadlock in CBA negotiations.

Philex had earlier assured investors that mine production remained unaffected by the strike as its managers and supervisors, along with employees who did not participate in the strike, continued operations.