Labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno announced today that the strike of workers of a hardware warehouse protesting illegal dismissal, illegal lockout, and union busting has been successful.
Workers of Co Ban Kiat Warehouse Inc., the main supplier of Ace Hardware and owned by businessman Johnny Cobankiat, launched a strike after the management illegally dismissed 103 regular and contractual workers.
The lock-out was carried out on May 3, the same day that the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) released the recognition of the workers’ union.
“The victory of Co Ban Kiat workers is another proof that only through collective and militant struggle can workers defeat capitalists’ most anti-worker schemes. They are successful in asserting their reinstatement and exercising their right to form a union,” said Roger Soluta, KMU secretary-general.
“It was clear that the illegal lock-out and dismissal are attempts by the management to bust the workers’ union and prevent workers from collectively bargaining to advance their rights to higher wages and job security,” he added.
The workers’ strike, which lasted three days from May 9 to 11, successfully paralyzed the operations of the warehouse, forcing the management to give in to the workers’ demands and immediately reinstate the 103 illegally dismissed workers.
Fight not yet over
KMU said, however, that the Co Ban Kiat workers’ fight is not yet over, as the company’s management is sure to maneuver to roll back the workers’ victory.
“We are not relaxing our guard as the Co Ban Kiat management will surely try to find a way to push back the workers’ victories. Co Ban Kiat workers should further strengthen their union and unite with other workers and people in fighting for their rights,” Soluta said.
“We thank everyone who supported the Co Ban Kiat workers’ struggle. At the same time, we are calling on all supporters to remain vigilant,” he added.
“We are also calling on all workers to emulate the workers of Co Ban Kiat. Let us dare to unite and struggle for our rights. We can gain victories through our unity and our resolve to fight for our rights,” he said.
#1 17 May 2012 Hardware
17 May 2012
Hardware warehouse workers’ strike victorious – KMU
Labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno announced today that the strike of workers of a hardware warehouse protesting illegal dismissal, illegal lockout, and union busting has been successful.
Workers of Co Ban Kiat Warehouse Inc., the main supplier of Ace Hardware and owned by businessman Johnny Cobankiat, launched a strike after the management illegally dismissed 103 regular and contractual workers.
The lock-out was carried out on May 3, the same day that the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) released the recognition of the workers’ union.
“The victory of Co Ban Kiat workers is another proof that only through collective and militant struggle can workers defeat capitalists’ most anti-worker schemes. They are successful in asserting their reinstatement and exercising their right to form a union,” said Roger Soluta, KMU secretary-general.
“It was clear that the illegal lock-out and dismissal are attempts by the management to bust the workers’ union and prevent workers from collectively bargaining to advance their rights to higher wages and job security,” he added.
The workers’ strike, which lasted three days from May 9 to 11, successfully paralyzed the operations of the warehouse, forcing the management to give in to the workers’ demands and immediately reinstate the 103 illegally dismissed workers.
Fight not yet over
KMU said, however, that the Co Ban Kiat workers’ fight is not yet over, as the company’s management is sure to maneuver to roll back the workers’ victory.
“We are not relaxing our guard as the Co Ban Kiat management will surely try to find a way to push back the workers’ victories. Co Ban Kiat workers should further strengthen their union and unite with other workers and people in fighting for their rights,” Soluta said.
“We thank everyone who supported the Co Ban Kiat workers’ struggle. At the same time, we are calling on all supporters to remain vigilant,” he added.
“We are also calling on all workers to emulate the workers of Co Ban Kiat. Let us dare to unite and struggle for our rights. We can gain victories through our unity and our resolve to fight for our rights,” he said.
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