Two union triumphs in a row for Obrero Pilipino

30 July 2015, Manila –TUCP-affiliate Obrero Pilipino (OP) gears up for new collective bargaining negotiations after winning two certification elections covering some seven hundred workers in Laguna Technopark, a privately-run special economic zone in South Luzon.

Honda Parts-OP and OP-Masuda Chapter won the certification elections on 23 July and 24 July 2015, respectively.

Both companies manufacture parts for Honda cars and motorcycles for local and international markets.

Workers at Honda Parts Manufacturing, Inc. reaffirmed their affiliation with Obrero Pilipino by casting the winning votes against two competitors –against a no union vote and against a challenger union. Once concluded, the new CBA will be the union’s fourth five-year CBA with the company.

Similarly, organizing workers at Masuda Manufacturing, Inc. was met with rigorous anti-union actions by unseen management hand and by a rival union. It took over a year of conscientization, awareness-raising, countless meetings, and correcting rumours spread by a rival union against OP.

“Our truimphs are a result of sustained hard work. And we continue to work harder,” says Obrero Pilipino President Rolly Capoquian.

“I am proud of my team and our union officers. They do not cower against pressures from employers, unenlightened fellow workers, and opposing unions,” Ka Rolly adds.

“We have negotiated improved benefits for our union members at Honda Parts; probably better than those enjoyed by their peers in other organized companies in the EPZ. We aim the same for our members at Masuda Manufacturing, Inc.,” he adds.

A beneficiary-partner in the previous Solidarity Center-assisted TUCP Social Dialogue Project in 2013, Obrero Pilipino sustained its Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining Campaign in Special Economic Zones, resulting in 22 new registered unions and concluded seven collective bargaining agreements covering some 4,800 thousand workers; some 70 percent are women.

Obrero Pilipino joined TUCP, along with other 13 national labor federations after the ill-fated Mendoza group takeover in 2012. — Cyril Doctor

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The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP)

TUCP is the biggest confederation of labor federations in the Philippines. Its most representative labor organization character is evidenced by its range of members in all sectors, from agriculture to industry to services, those in public service, including public school teachers, the largest informal sector organization in the Philippines (ALLWIES), the largest organization of OFWs (OFW Family Circle), as well as the first registered unions of workers in call center and BPOs (business process outsourcing), the largest federation of hotel and restaurant workers union (AIUHRC), and the largest federation of farmers unions (FFF).

TUCP is one formal, registered organization, with valuable contributions to the concerns of tripartite sectors, including reform of labor law and regulations, taxation, and social protection. It continues to be in “constructive dialogue” with tripartite partners.

TUCP’s representations extend to the ASEAN, where he TUCP-led ASEAN Trade Union Council (ATUC) is implementing a wide-range tripartite-based project to promote and protect the rights of migrant workers.

TUCP is an affiliate of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and its Asia-Pacific Regional Organization (ITUC-AP). TUCP serves as Secretariat of the ASEAN Trade Union Council (ATUC) which is composed of 18 National Centers in 9 ASEAN countries.