MEDIATION has prevented workers in 351 firms from going ahead with their decision to strike and as a result, only five worker unions proceeded with their stop-work protest.

“So far, only five strikes occurred in the country since January this year. The labor and management in the 351 firms showed maturity in choosing to settle their disputes rather than resort to strikes or lockouts,” said Labor Secretary Marianito Roque on Wednesday.

He said this shows the successful efforts of the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) that has now set a record of sorts—settling over 98 percent  of the 355 labor disputes that erupted from January, including some cases pending at the end of 2007.

The NCMB also reported that upon settlement of deadlocks in collective bargaining agreements, 7,388 workers received a total of P529 million in monetary benefits.

Reports also showed that another group of workers numbering 2,162 got a total of P188 million in separation pay and restitution packages from the settlement of unfair labor practices; in addition to a similar case involving 4,318 workers who received a total of P309 million in separation pay and restitution packages.

Roque strongly recommended to labor and management to thrash out their differences by dialogue and collaborative activities, especially in this critical time, to lessen the impact of the financial crisis on both sides.

“I appeal to social partners to exhaust all means in the settlement of their disputes to prevent strikes and lockouts that can certainly worsen the impact of the financial crisis to the economy.” S. Fabunan