The Bacolod Our Lady of Mercy Specialty Hospital Employees Union and the hospital management failed to reconcile their labor dispute in a meeting Friday before the National Conciliation and Mediation Board after the union filed a notice of strike, a press release from its president said yesterday.

The management rejected the demand of the union to return all terminated officers and members of the union brought by management’s unfair labor practices and union busting, union president Roberto Villaram said yesterday.

The BOLMSHEU is prepared to conduct the strike vote next week, he added.

Working women
get special leave

Women working in the private sector who are scheduled to undergo surgery for gynecological disorders can now file for special leave, the Department of Labor and Employment announced.

This special leave privilege is contained in Department Order No. 112-11 which lays down the guidelines for availing of the special leave benefit provided for under Republic Act 9710 (Section 18), known as the Magna Carta for Women, the DOLE press release said.

 Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz, who issued the order, said that the guidelines ensure compliance on the implementation of the special leave benefits for women employees in the private sector.

File income tax returns
before April 15 – BIR

The Bureau of Internal Revenue, Revenue Region No.12, in Bacolod City is reminding all taxpayers to file and declare correct income tax returns on or before April 15.

BIR regional director Araceli Francisco said they will prioritize accountants, medical practitioners, and lawyers to be audited for 2010 taxable year.

This is pursuant to the revenue memorandum order of the BIR setting the Amended Audit Criteria for auditing tax returns by revenue district offices, large taxpayers, service audit divisions, and the national investigation division, Teresita Legaspi, head of the BIR Taxpayer Assistance Unit, said.