Section 55Sec./Art. 55

Mandatory Conciliation-Mediation. - In the absence of an agreement or settlement at the grievance machinery level, the following rules shall apply:

(a) If there is a CBA, the matter shall be submitted for voluntary arbitration in accordance with existing laws, rules, and regulations;

(b) If there is no CBA, the parties shall first avail of the conciliation-mediation services provided under Republic Act No. 10396, otherwise known as "An Act Strengthening Conciliation-Mediation as a Voluntary Mode of Dispute Settlement for All Labor Cases, Amending for this Purpose Article 228 of Presidential Decree No. 442, as amended, otherwise known as the "Labor Code of the Philippines" and its IRR. Thereafter, if the matter remains unresolved, absent a settlement or agreement, the parties have the option to submit the case either to compulsory or voluntary arbitration under Presidential Decree No. 442, as amended.