Siblings file dollars 5.5m unfair dismissal suit against WPP

MANILA: WPP Marketing Communications faces a USdollars 5.5 million

lawsuit filed by two siblings who alleged that the company dismissed

them without legal basis.

J. Walter Thompson's former client services director Rey Mendoza and

MindShare's former managing director Jocelyn Galera slapped WPP with the

country's biggest illegal dismissal lawsuit to date.

In his suit, Mendoza said he was forced to resign on January 8 as his

working conditions had been made stifling and uncomfortable.

Galera left her post at MindShare on April 15, while Mendoza's case was

being heard in the labour court. She claimed she was summarily dismissed

without explanation.

The pair have named as respondents JWT president and managing director

Mark Webster, JWT finance director Randi Lorica, MindShare Asia-Pacific

regional chairman John Steedman and Manila-based chairman and president

Minda Lansang.

Webster, who became JWT Philippines' chief last year, expressed surprise

at the suit. While he admitted to retrenching staff, he said this was

undertaken legally. "In the end, Mendoza filed for resignation," Webster

said.

Lansang also disputed the allegations, saying: "What's been said so far

is not entirely correct."