Suspended workers prepare to strike

Suspended workers of Japanese-owned Chiyoda Integre Philippines Incorporated announced today in a protest action their preparation to go for a strike should their management continues to “do all dirty tricks to bust the union”.

Characterised by fiery speeches and noise barrage, 51 Chiyoda workers peacefully conducted their activity at Gate 1 of Light Industry and Science Park 1 (LISP 1), an economic zone in Cabuyao, Laguna at around 5PM today, June 28. Some workers from other companies participated and expressed support to the Chiyoda workers.

“The management is pushing us against the wall. We are left with no option but to carry on the workers’ highest form of action – to strike,” said Felimon Alfiler, president of union Tunay at Lumalaban para sa Ikatatatag ng Manggagawa sa Chiyoda-Independent (TALIM-Chiyoda-Independent).

On the grounds of unfair labor practices, constructive dismissal of union officers, illegal suspension, illegal detention and harassment, the union filed a notice of strike to the Bureau of Labor Relations (BLR-Region IV) on June 21, a day after they were held in detention for almost 6 hours in the company canteen. The union held a strike voting on June 24 where 52 voted yes to strike.

Dismissal to suspension

“Although the management’s charges against us were lessened to suspension, it is still uncertain whether it will keep its word and look into our demands to recognize the union and push for collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations.”

On June 18, Chiyoda management served notices of dismissal to 51 workers (not 68 as earlier reported), all of whom belong to the 68 union membership. The union officers and members were charged of “Inciting or participating in riots, disorders, illegal strikes or concerted actions to the Company interests".

The charges were dropped to a 30-day preventive suspension on June 22.

“Anything can happen within 30 days. The management has already moved out some of its main production machines. We were also informed that security personnel have been increased in the company premises, while elements of the police’s Special Action Forces (SAF) now act as personal guards to all managers. These only show its insincerity to resolve the labor dispute at hand,” said Alfiler.

Support

Bert Nievera, chairperson of Cabuyao Workers’ Alliance, a broad organization of Cabuyao-based unions, expressed support for the Chiyoda workers.

“If the workers opted to go for strike, we will extend all possible support that their demands be met. The Chiyoda struggle is a struggle of all Cabuyao workers,” said Nievera in Filipino.

Pagkakaisa ng Manggagawa sa Timog Katagalugan (PAMANTIK), the regional trade union center of Kilusang Mayo Uno in Southern Tagalog, also expressed its support for the workers of Chiyoda.

Luz Baculo, PAMANTIK secretary-general said, “In the history of genuine and militant unionism in the Southern Tagalog region, workers pay importance to the words ‘joint concerted support and joint concerted defense’. Thru these means, we can win the struggle of Chiyoda workers and the struggle of other workers for their political and economic interests.”###