Alaska Milk Corp. said Friday the management and the employee union agreed on a remuneration package for about 200 employees at its San Pedro, Laguna plant who will be retrenched as part of the company’s organizational transformation.
The company assured affected employees of a support package that would include severance pay that is almost double of what is mandated by the law, an added gratuity pay and continued health coverage for employees and their dependents.
“We thank the unions in AMC for their openness to dialogue, which resulted in a suitable package for the affected employees. Both management and the unions have always had the welfare of our workers in mind as the most important aspect in this transition,” said AMC corporate affairs director Maria Angela Esquivel.
AMC announced earlier it would terminate the employment of about 200 workers at its plant in line with the directive of parent company Royal FrieslandCampina’s to optimize business operations.
Royal FrieslandCampina, a Dutch dairy producer, acquired AMC from the Uytengsu family in 2012.
Esquivel said AMC teamed up with global outplacement service Lee Hecht Harrison to help affected workers in transitioning to future employment.
“Proper job transition support must also include practical help, which is why we facilitated business and resume building seminars, as well as job fairs for the affected employees of AMC,”the outplacement agency said in a statement.
“Especially with our current climate, it’s great that companies like AMC are taking a proactive approach to employee care when they plan their restructuring,” the agency said.
AMC’s directive to optimize business operations led to the management’s decision to undergo an organizational transformation that will affect about 200 workers starting July 1, 2021.
LHH offered the affected employees workshops on job search strategies, personal finance, psychological support and business planning.
AMC, through LHH, also organized a job fair that allowed the workers to submit their resumés to potential employers, including Unilever, Monde Nissin, Rebisco and PhilAm Life.
“AMC understands the difficulty of this transition for our employees, which is why this care package was part of our plans from the very beginning. We will continue to empower the employees so that they can take the proper next steps as they look towards their future,” said Esquivel.
AMC said its business remained stable and that the changes were necessary to keep Alaska’s products affordable and to save more jobs in the long-run.
AMC said it was proud of its ability to remain steadfast and committed to providing affordable nutrition for Filipino families while still supporting valued employees.
