Siblings file dollars 5.5m unfair dismissal suit against WPP

<p>MANILA: WPP Marketing Communications faces a USdollars 5.5 million </p><p>lawsuit filed by two siblings who alleged that the company dismissed </p><p>them without legal basis. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>J. Walter Thompson's former client services director Rey Mendoza and </p><p>MindShare's former managing director Jocelyn Galera slapped WPP with the </p><p>country's biggest illegal dismissal lawsuit to date. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>In his suit, Mendoza said he was forced to resign on January 8 as his </p><p>working conditions had been made stifling and uncomfortable. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Galera left her post at MindShare on April 15, while Mendoza's case was </p><p>being heard in the labour court. She claimed she was summarily dismissed </p><p>without explanation. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>The pair have named as respondents JWT president and managing director </p><p>Mark Webster, JWT finance director Randi Lorica, MindShare Asia-Pacific </p><p>regional chairman John Steedman and Manila-based chairman and president </p><p>Minda Lansang. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Webster, who became JWT Philippines' chief last year, expressed surprise </p><p>at the suit. While he admitted to retrenching staff, he said this was </p><p>undertaken legally. "In the end, Mendoza filed for resignation," Webster </p><p>said. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Lansang also disputed the allegations, saying: "What's been said so far </p><p>is not entirely correct." </p><p><BR><BR> </p>