This is the angered statement of discontent expressed by Nissan workers after having read the Department of Labor and Employment’s writ of execution of the final Supreme Court decision on the Nissan labor case. The workers received the writ, personally delivered by a DoLE representative, in their picketline in front of the company gates in Barangay Pulong Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, Laguna on March 15, 2007.

According to the 8-page decision dated March 14, 2007 and signed by DoLE Undersecretary Luzviminda G. Padilla, “only 27 workers are due for reinstatement” and 25 of them will receive backwages which starts on June 21, 2006, on the date Supreme Court issued its final decision.

“The Supreme Court clearly affirmed the earlier decisions of the Court of Appeals and DoLE ordering the reinstatement of 144 Nissan workers with accrued salaries with computations dating from the time the strike was launched on October 2001. This is far-fetched from the recently-issued writ by DoLE. This is a clear scampish violation of the Philippine highest court’s decision!” said Rodel Diolata, union vice-president of Bagong Nagkakaisang Lakas sa Nissan Motors Philippines, Incorporated (BANAL-OLALIA-KMU).

The Supreme Court affirmed with finality the decisions promulgated by DoLE and the Court of Appeals on December 5, 2001 and February 2, 2003, respectively.

“In a synchronised but conspicuous move, the Nissan factory stopped operations. The management issued a forced leave to its workers from March 19 till April 10. Nissan management and DoLE know their depravity against the workers, that is why they are evading workers’ immediate protests and actions,” said Diolata.

The writ takes effect after 10 working days upon receipt by all parties concerned.

Pagkakaisa ng Manggagawa sa Timog Katagalugan-Kilusang Mayo (Solidarity of Workers in Southern Tagalog, the regional chapter of May First Movement, expressed support to the workers in lieu of the latest labor situation in Nissan.

“Since the Supreme Court issued its self-executory decision, the Nissan workers complied in their willingness to be reinstated back to work. Because of the Nissan managament’s stubborn stance and unyielding to the court’s decision, the workers attempt to get back to work took the form of mass protests in front of the company gates.This only proved the workers’ still solid footing and determination to fight for their legitimate interests,” according to PAMANTIK statement.

“In this Year of the Pig, capitalists and DoLE complicity had become an overt and abhorrent swine oppressing the workers. Such is not an isolated case. The US-Arroyo regime which knows no law and reason, and has resorted to brutish fancy by oppressing and killing its people, nurtures such connivance."