Suggested Ground Rules on Collective Negotiation Between the Management and the

Employee Association/Union Negotiating Panel

Composition of the Negotiating Panels. Each panel shall be composed of five (5) alternatives.
The names of the members of both parties shall be made known at least five (5) days before the actual
negotiations.

Authority to Negotiate. The principal of both parties shall give their respective negotiating panels
the written authority to negotiate and bind such principals to the matters agreed upon.

Quorum. The presence of at least four (4) members from each panel shall be sufficient to hold
negotiation meetings.

Relief from regular duties and responsibilities. The members of the (name of Employee
Association/Union) Negotiating panel, including the members of its Secretariat, shall be on official
business throughout the duration of the negotiations and they shall be relieved of all their regular duties
and responsibilities.

Time Limits and Schedule of Meetings. The parties to the CNA shall finish the negotiation not
later than the end of ____________. Negotiation meetings shall commence not later than five (5) days
from the submission by both parties of their respective proposals. Meetings shall be held at least three
(3) times a week, morning and afternoon, which may extend in the evening, if necessary. The parties
may agree to hold meetings on a daily basis until the termination of the agreement.

Postponement and Delays. No postponements of scheduled meetings shall be allowed except on

mutual agreement by both negotiating panels. In no case shall consecutive meetings be postponed at the
instance or request of only one panel. No delays shall be allowed on the ground that a party needs time
to research or consult /secure an opinion from an outside source/agency.

Venue. The negotiation meetings shall be held in a neutral place convenient to both parties (The
parties may identify the specific venue).

Expenses. Each party shall bear its own cost for the preparation of its written proposals and for other
pre-negotiation expenses. Expenses for the venue, board and lodging and travel as well as food during
the negotiation proper shall be shouldered by the agency.

Access to Financial and Other Records of the Agency. The management shall provide the (name
of Employee Association/Union) with pertinent audited and verified financial statements of the agency
and other related documents.

Proceedings. A Secretariat shall be formed to record the proceedings of the negotiations. The
members of the Secretariat shall be responsible for the preparation of the minutes of meetings. Minutes
of the meetings shall be approved and duly signed by both parties.

Sequence of Issues for Negotiation. The parties shall first discuss and negotiate the employee’s
political rights and other non-economic demands. Nothing shall stop the parties from changing the
sequences of issues or from suspending the discussion of a particular issue to give way to another.

Observers. Other CSC officials and employees who wish to observe the proceedings of the actual
negotiation shall be allowed to do so, provided that there will be no disruption of office work.