Labor Watch

Over massive lay-off, contractualization
Labor Turmoil in San Miguel Plants Heightens

BY BULATLAT.COM

Workers in the various plants of the country’s largest food, beverage and packaging corporation are protesting against union busting, violations of Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), illegal dismissal and massive contractualization. Workers of Campo Carne, Cosmos Bottling Corporation, La Tondeña Distillers Incorporated (LTDI) and Monterey Farms, which are companies under San Miguel Corporation (SMC), and the workers of SMC Greater Manila Area themselves are now engaged in labor disputes with the SMC management.

The Ilaw at Buklod ng mga Manggagawa sa San Miguel (IBM-KMU), SMC’s labor union, charged that while the company targets expansion in Asia-Pacific, its workers face retrenchment and worsening labor conditions.

William Merene, president of IBM-KMU, said, "The drastic reduction of SMC workforce over the years is really alarming. In 1990, SMC Greater Manila Area had a total of 5,000 workers. This year, the workforce dropped to only 1,200. Nationwide, since 1990, more than 10,000 workers under IBM have been retrenched due to the company's redundancy program."

The latest casualties of retrenchment, according to the union, are 28 workers from SMC Metal Closure and Litography Plant who were laid off last March 28.

"While SMC is targeting further expansion in China, Australia, Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia, the management is doing all possible actions to further reduce employment and retrench workers," said Merene.

The labor leader said the SMC rakes in profits at the expense of its workers. From January to February this year, SMC reportedly registered a P915 million income. Core businesses including beer and beverages continue to improve. Overseas sales are also expanding as beer sales volumes in Vietnam, North China and Australia went up by 65%, 25% and 13%, respectively, in 2002 over the previous year. Beer exports alone grew by 8% in 2002.

Pangasinan workers

Meanwhile, the La Tondeña workers in Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan are still on strike over the management's refusal to recognize their labor union and negotiate with workers for their CBA. LTDI workers in Cabuyao, Laguna also mounted work stoppages against gross violations of their CBA agreement and apparent union busting measures. LTDI recorded a net profit P411 million on revenue of PHP2.6 billion. The company's sales volume in January-March increased over 20% due to high product demands.

Campo Carne went on strike last year after the company was illegally closed by the management to give way to the merger with Purefoods-Hormel.

Workers from the soft drinks firm Cosmos Bottling Corp. in San Jacinto, Pangasinan and Canlubang are also reportedly burdened with unfair labor practices and illegal dismissal.

The labor group stressed the responsibility of SMC chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco for the series of onslaught against SMC workers. "Since Cojuangco returned to SMC, we have experienced the worst attacks against our livelihood and job security," it said.

Workers tagged Cojuangco as “the country's leading violator of workers rights” and urged the public to frustrate his political plan. According to media reports, Cojuangco may run for president in 2004.  Bulatlat.com

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