PLDT Inc. ?The time to sit down and start collective bargaining with Manggagawa sa Komunikasyon ng Pilipinas (MKP) is in September 2024, not today?. This is the position of PLDT Management, referring to the demand of MKP, the exclusive bargaining representative of the rank-and-file employees of PLDT and with which PLDT has an existing collective bargaining agreement (CBA), to commence negotiations now. The CBA will expire on November 8, 2024.

MKP sent PLDT Management on February 20, 2024 their "Notice to Negotiate & Submission of Statement of Proposals". This was followed by MKP?s filing of a notice of strike on April 5, 2024 on the ground of PLDT?s alleged refusal to bargain. The members of MKP reportedly conducted a strike vote on May 14 and 15, 2024, with a majority voting in favor of the strike.

Under the Labor Code, the parties are tasked to meet and negotiate the renewal or modification of the terms of the CBA at least 60 days prior to its expiry ? the so-called freedom period ? which, in this case, will begin in the first week of September, or more than three (3) months from now and almost seven (7) months from the time they first sent the Notice to Negotiate.

Until then, the Labor Code obligates both PLDT and MKP to respect the current CBA to preserve industrial peace. PLDT Management, speaking through People Group First Vice President JM Co, clarified that refusal to bargain as an unfair labor practice refers to such arbitrary refusal to negotiate, which is not the case here, because PLDT remains ?willing and able to negotiate with MKP at the right time?, that is, during the freedom period. Thus, according to Co, ?it is PLDT?s position that a strike conducted on this ground has no valid basis.

This is supported by law and the parties? rich bargaining history over the past 30 years.? PLDT respects its workers?

rights to self-organization within the bounds of law. Management urges all concerned to work together to achieve PLDT?s business targets and ensure that the basic right of its subscribers to connectivity are provided and remain paramount during this time. PLDT?s commitment to their people and subscribers remains unwavering.