THE 10,000-strong United Rank-and-File Employees of J&T Express-Federation of Free Workers (URFE-FFW) has called off its nationwide strike following a successful settlement with J&T management mediated by the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB).
Ferdinand Cusi, president of URFE-FFW, said on Wednesday that the settlement was arrived at after the J&T Express agreed to the workers’ terms and conditions.
Among others, management agreed to comply with the provisions of their Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), specifically Article XIII, wherein the workers’ medical, dental and group insurance shall be amended and converted to HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) coverage.
“The Company shall provide a non-contributory HMO type of medical and hospitalization benefit plan in lieu of the CBA provision on Group Life Insurance effective on 01 March 2025 to all members of the bargaining unit,” the agreement read.
During the transition period from Group Life Insurance to HMO, the management also agreed to grant financial subsidies to all covered employees in case of hospitalization.
On the issue of illegal termination, the union shall have the option to question before the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) the legality of the termination of Jomar Mondaradgo, Errol de Chavez and Albert Jan Cubio.
In addition, the J&T management shall not file and pursue any criminal case and shall grant financial assistance to the terminated employees equivalent to two months basic salary, payment of which shall be made on or before Dec. 9, 2024, to be coursed through the union.
Management also agreed to grant the union’s request for an office space that shall be used for meeting purposes.
The union is also allowed to use the company conference room provided there is a five-day prior written notice.
Furthermore, the management, after due validation based on company records, shall pay the overtime (OT) and night shift differential (NSD) of employees not later than Dec. 25, 2024. Union will submit the list of employees with OT and NSD claims not later than Nov. 30, 2024.
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