The Commission on Audit and the Philippine Government Audit
Service Employees Association have recently signed a Collective Negotiation
Agreement crafted and designed to "foster and improve a noble and enduring
relationship between the employees and management through better employment and
working conditions in order to attain maximum efficiency and improve the welfare
and well-being of the workers." Chairman Guillermo N. Carague and
Commissioners Raul C. Flores and Emmanuel M. Dalman signed the CNA for COA while
PhilGASEA President Hilario A. Virtudazo Jr. and Board Chairman Francia O.
Sanchez signed for the PhilGASEA.
The CNA took effect on September 17, 2002. Major points
agreed upon by the parties include vital matters having to do with employees’
privileges, personnel actions, selection and promotion, management prerogatives
and shared responsibilities and accountability, employees’ rights and
responsibilities, grievance settlement/machinery. The CNA also embodies the
declaration of principles, persons covered, commitment to public service,
implementing and monitoring scheme, and faithful observance of the agreement.
Under the CNA's Declaration of Principles both parties
recognize the basic rights of all workers to living wage, security of tenure and
humane working conditions. Observance of international and national declaration
of policies regarding the rights of all workers to self-organization, collective
bargaining and negotiation is also stressed as well as the recognition of the
authority and prerogatives of the COA in the implementation of existing laws and
policies governing the terms and conditions of employment in COA. The COA binds
itself not to interfere in the establishment, operations and administration of
the PhilGASEA through acts designed to place the association under control.
All rank-and-file employees of COA — from division chiefs
down to the lowest ranked employee except those specifically excluded by PSLMC
Resolution No. 2 series of 1993 are covered by the agreement.
Commitment to Public Service which is a feature of the
agreement calls upon PhilGASEA to continue the activities intended to improve
the capability and efficiency of its members. It shall inculcate among its
members the provisions of RA No. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical
Standards for Public Officials and Employees and the Civil Service laws, rules
and regulations as well as other issuances designed to promote discipline,
efficiency, productivity and effectiveness of the state audit service.
Under the CNA’s privileges provision, COA recognizes
PhilGASEA as the sole and exclusive representative of all COA rank-and-file
employees during the effectivity of the agreement. Employees may become members
only upon manifestation of their intention to join PhilGASEA. COA shall consult
with PhilGASEA on policy changes affecting the terms and conditions of
employment through formal communication and shall deal directly with the
PhilGASEA President or those persons duly authorized by the PhilGASEA Board on
all matters and issues affecting the interests of its members. An office space,
which shall include equipment and communication facilities, shall be provided.
The COA also recognizes the right of PhilGASEA to check-off or to payroll
deduction of PhilGASEA dues, assessments and other fees from the salaries of its
members provided that there is a written authorization from the employee
concerned. Other additional privileges are the Workers’ Education Program
wherein COA may allow the PhilGASEA officers and members to attend on official
time workers’ educational programs, seminars, meeting, conventions,
conferences and symposia. COA recognizes the right of the PhilGASEA to be
represented in the committees or bodies such as Selection and Promotion Board,
Employee Suggestion and Incentive Awards Committee Grievance Committee,
Personnel Welfare Assistance, Scholarship Board, Uniform/Clothing Committee and
other special bodies such as sports, cultural, recreational, anniversary and
Christmas celebration committees among others. COA may also furnish PhilGASEA
with such reports as may be formally requested from the COA Chairman. PhilGASEA
and its chapter offices shall also be included in the mailing list of the COA
Records Division.
Under the Personnel Action, Selection and Promotion
provisions, PhilGASEA recognizes the management functions and powers of COA such
as the right to hire, assign, detail, fill-up vacancies, promote employees as
well as relieve, dismiss, suspend, demote and otherwise discipline employees for
just cause. Orientation programs for newly recruited members shall be provided.
The CNA provisions on Management Prerogatives and Shared Responsibility and
Accountability outline COA’s right to appoint as well as to discipline
personnel in accordance with the principles provided by the constitution. COA
shall also lay down internal policies, procedures and guidelines for sound
personnel management and administration. In shall recognize and reward the
excellent and outstanding accomplishment of the employees. Guided by the
principled prescribed by the Civil Service Commission, COA shall also adopt the
flexi-time scheme for employees.
Employees’ rights and responsibilities shall
include the following: maintenance of an adequate fleet of shuttle buses to
service COA employees including those assigned to regional offices; maintenance
of adequate supply of purified and safe drinking water; monthly rice subsidy
allowance to all officials and employees at an amount as may be determined by
the management; continued operation of the COA Day Care Centers nationwide;
adequate supply of medicines for first dose of medication to the employees as
prescribed by COA physicians. These CNA provisions also provide health care
services to all officials and employees in PWA-accredited hospitals (see
separate story) and maintenance of physical fitness and sports facilities for
its employees. The grievance mechanism shall also be made to continually operate
in close coordination with PhilGASEA so as to promote better management-employee
working relationship.
