Procedure of Collective Bargaining.
Article 297
ART. 297. Procedure of Collective Bargaining. —The following procedures shall be observed in collective bargaining: When a party desires to negotiate an agreement, it shall serve a written notice upon the other with a statement of its proposals. The other party shall make a reply thereto not later than ten (10) days from receipt of such notice; Should differences arise on the basis of such notice and reply, either party may request for a conference which shall begin not later than ten (10) days from the date of request; If the dispute is not settled, the Bureau shall intervene upon request of either or both parties or at its own initiative and it shall be the duty of the parties to participate fully and promptly in the conciliation meetings the Bureau may call; During the conciliation proceedings in the Bureau, the parties are prohibited from doing any act which may disrupt or impede the early settlement of the disputes; The Bureau shall exert all efforts to settle disputes amicably and encourage the parties to submit their case to a voluntary arbitrator; and If no amicable settlement is reached after exhausting all possibilities of conciliation, the Bureau shall certify the dispute to a Labor Arbiter for compulsory arbitration. The Labor Arbiter shall decide the case within forty-five (45) days from the first hearing.