The impending closure of DHL Supply Chain’s Muntinlupa warehouse is raising the stakes in a labor dispute involving 473 workers who have been on strike over alleged union busting and demands for recognition and collective bargaining.
The DHL United Workers Union (DUWU) entered its seventh consecutive day of strike on Tuesday as it continued to demand union recognition and good-faith negotiations with management.
DUWU said the Muntinlupa warehouse is nearing closure at the end of the month.
The union and its allies have also raised concerns over alleged retrenchment, job insecurity, unpaid wages and other issues affecting workers.
According to the union, the dispute has gone through nine hearings between DUWU and the management, but has yet to yield progress or positive outcome for its demands.
‘We formed the union to achieve our rights to a living wage, fair benefits, regular employment, and others,’ DUWU President Nap Aromin said.
Aromin said the workers continued their strike despite what the union described as attacks against their organization.
‘We will continue to face DHL until they have no choice but to respect the union and negotiate with us in good faith.’
The union has also questioned the company’s refusal to pay workers for work performed on every 31st day of the month.
Aromin said workers are seeking adequate wages and benefits instead of remaining at the minimum wage.
‘We are asking for sufficient wages instead of remaining at minimum wage, and instead of not being paid for working on every 31st day of the month.’
Meanwhile, SENTRO Deputy Secretary General Joanna Bernice said DUWU’s strike is ‘a legitimate exercise of workers’ collective rights.’
‘On one hand, we have workers practicing their right to strike, and on the other, we have management busting their union.’
Akbayan Rep. Perci Cendaña likewise called on DHL to uphold its commitments to workers’ rights to organization, collective bargaining and freedom of association.
‘DHL’s global commitments to respect workers’ rights to organization, bargaining, and freedom of association must not simply be performative.’
The dispute has also drawn support from workers, women and youth groups, as well as lawmakers who have joined mobilizations in support of DUWU.
The union and its allies have scheduled a candle-lighting protest in Pasig City on Wednesday to press DHL management on union recognition and good-faith negotiations.