For its part, Wyeth has begun its own cost-cutting program as early as last January 2008. Their announced goal was to eliminate up to 5,000 of its then-50,000 jobs. In the Philippines, where salaries are comparatively lower compared to other countries, Wyeth employees told Bulatlat they have been battling the management’s efforts to bust their union, increase hiring of contractuals or separate new regular workers from old-timer unionists.

‘Our Job Is Our Life’

“Although the management tells us we will be absorbed by Pfizer, there are no real guarantees. Everything is just verbal,” said Jun San Juan, WPPWU president. They showed Bulatlat a copy of their proposed “transition agreement” to the management where the union demands to keep their job security, their 50-year old union and its current collective bargaining agreement (CBA).

“They are telling us that because we’re producing nutritional products here that Pfizer doesn’t do, we will likely be retained,” said Rico Dimaano, WPPWU’s secretary. Still, they wish to iron out a more formal guarantee before Day 1 arrives.

(Photo by Marya Salamat / bulatlat.com)

To advance their proposed transition agreement, the union, in cooperation with the sales representatives union, is holding a series of picket protests in front of their company headquarters in Makati. They are also sending delegations to other progressive workers’ rallies.

“You don’t often see a 50-year old progressive union still in vibrant existence, as we do, these days,” members of WPPWU said. They proudly said they were one of the pioneers in forming a Kilusang Mayo Uno (May First Movement) affiliated federation, the Drugs and Foods Alliance (DFA). They hope to keep their jobs — and their union alive — despite the merger with Pfizer. (Bulatlat.com)

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