14 Feb 2007
It took a while, but the patience and perseverance of the officers and members of the PSALM Association of Corporate Employees (PACE) finally paid off.
Last Tuesday, 13 February, PACE received from the Civil Service Commission (CSC) the much-awaited Certificate of Accreditation (CA) that formally recognizes the union as the authorized accredited agent of PSALM employees to negotiate with management.
During the ceremonial turnover of the CA held at the Filipinas Hall of PSALM's main office in the Bankmer Bldg. in Makati, PSALM employees and management expressed their willingness to continue working together harmoniously to further enhance the terms and conditions of employment in the corporation.
"Today we witness the long-awaited turnover of the PACE Certificate of Accreditation from the Civil Service Commission," said Roberto S. Ultado, president of PACE, which was formed in 2005.
Seeking to espouse the rights, welfare and benefits of PSALM employees, PACE duly complied with and completed the registration requirements of the Department of Labor and Employment in 2006, Mr. Ultado disclosed.
CSC director Lucila C. Pagdanganan, who graced the turnover rites, said the CA for PACE was approved and signed by CSC chairman Karina David on 28 November 2006.
"CA No. 608 gives PACE the legal basis as the sole accredited agent to negotiate with the PSALM management," Ms. Pagdanganan pointed out. She said that the accreditation is covered by Executive Order No. 180 which provides guidelines for the exercise of the right to organize of government employees. Approved on 01 June 1987, the executive order also stipulates the right of government employees to negotiate with management the terms and conditions of employment not fixed by law.
PSALM President Nieves L. Osorio, who took timeout from her busy schedule to attend the event, congratulated the PACE officers who worked hard to obtain the PACE accreditation.
"When I joined PSALM on 28 July 2005, I immediately encouraged the employees to form an association that would put together a package of incentives and benefits," Ms. Osorio said. "The PSALM management will not deprive employees of these benefits as long as they have legal basis. We will work together harmoniously to ensure that the collective negotiation agreement (CNA) will be mutually beneficial to both parties."
PSALM Vice President for Contracts Management and Corporate Services Helena C. Tolentino challenged the PACE officers to negotiate benefits that are "worth lobbying and fighting for." "The management, in turn, will do everything within its bounds to grant the benefits the employees deserve," she said.
"But we must not forget that this is a two-way relationship," Ms. Tolentino pointed out. "The management, of course, expects something in return."
Ms. Tolentino assured the PSALM employees that the proposed CNA prepared by the PACE officers would be finalized at the end of the month.
Strategic Communications and Partnership Division |