Armand Iskra
2nd October 2008, 15:27
KOWLOON HOUSE STRIKE
Last September 13 2008, 73 workers of Kowloon House restaurant were fired as the guards did not access them due to the decision of the National Labor Relations Commission whom was and is in favor of the management, declaring the action made by the employees as an illegal strike.
The action was wrong, as well as having no basis about the decision of the NLRC. The Picket-Protest being made last June was a peaceful action during their breaktime. There were no work stoppage, and most of the customers are free to go for their meals in that restaurant.
The employees at that time were started a mass action since the management did not fulfill its wage order given by the Regional wage Board. This action given by the management is a violation from the collective bargaining agreement given by both parties. Since one of the provisions being made by both parties is wage increase (across the board wage increase specifically). The management even not file an exemption so they have no reason to delay the wage order no.13 within 5 years and still delaying wage order no.14.
Due to the action given by the employees, the management was forced to discuss with the employees as well as to "deal" to give fifty pesos from eighty two pesos (the total debt of the management to the workers since the days not fulfill the wage orders 13 and 14). The management, through its union and the management were reconciled in the National Concilliation and Mediation Board since they (the employees) know that the management was "capable" of fulfilling the promise.
TOTAL BACK WAGES TO THE WORKERS FROM THE WAGE ORDERS=
P3, 468,600.00
SIOPAO (A CHINESE FOOD) BEING SOLD IN KOWLOON HOUSE IN ONE DAY
(7,00peices X P47.00)= P329,000.00 X 11 DAYS=P3,619,000
so:
11 days of selling SIOPAO is the equivalent of the BACK WAGES for the WORKERS of KOWLOON HOUSE!
But still...
The owners Paul and Michael Ng are very shrewd in running the business. And in spite of the talks on wage orders, the decision given by the NLRC about the strike was considered ILLEGAL and thus, the management fired 73 workers and members of the union. And the 50 peso wage became its last salary given to them.
PAUL and MICHAEL NG are considered by the union as Union busters, and persons greed in capital.
There are workers on that said restaurant served 40 years while its salary for a day is 377 pesos. There are also workers served 10 years while its salary for a day is 250 pesos. The management made them as Contractual instead of regular workers, without payslip and the salary deductions are not itemized.
These capitalists, like Paul and Michael Ng wanted to destroy the union simply by firing 73 workers. Since they think that the union is a hindrance for accumulation of their capital.
And so...
The only solution for them is to STRIKE against the management. The workers tried, failed, and still trying to fight for their rights. They simply don't believe in the government and its institution about the problems related to these, for instead of protecting worker's rights, they joined with the management and firing them. And with the help of the student activists, the strike remained still-just for the sake of justice, in returning to their respective jobs, in providing adequate wages, and lastly to protect their rights.
BOYCOTT KOWLOON!
FIGHT FOR WAGES, WORK and WORKER's RIGHTS!
THERE IS BLOOD IN YOUR SIOPAO!
CONDEMN NLRC AND KOWLOON HOUSE MANAGEMENT!
*the union in Kowloon House is a member of the Genuine Labor Organization of Workers in Hotel, restaurant and Allied Industries-Kilusang Mayo Uno (May First Labor Movement)
Last September 13 2008, 73 workers of Kowloon House restaurant were fired as the guards did not access them due to the decision of the National Labor Relations Commission whom was and is in favor of the management, declaring the action made by the employees as an illegal strike.
The action was wrong, as well as having no basis about the decision of the NLRC. The Picket-Protest being made last June was a peaceful action during their breaktime. There were no work stoppage, and most of the customers are free to go for their meals in that restaurant.
The employees at that time were started a mass action since the management did not fulfill its wage order given by the Regional wage Board. This action given by the management is a violation from the collective bargaining agreement given by both parties. Since one of the provisions being made by both parties is wage increase (across the board wage increase specifically). The management even not file an exemption so they have no reason to delay the wage order no.13 within 5 years and still delaying wage order no.14.
Due to the action given by the employees, the management was forced to discuss with the employees as well as to "deal" to give fifty pesos from eighty two pesos (the total debt of the management to the workers since the days not fulfill the wage orders 13 and 14). The management, through its union and the management were reconciled in the National Concilliation and Mediation Board since they (the employees) know that the management was "capable" of fulfilling the promise.
TOTAL BACK WAGES TO THE WORKERS FROM THE WAGE ORDERS=
P3, 468,600.00
SIOPAO (A CHINESE FOOD) BEING SOLD IN KOWLOON HOUSE IN ONE DAY
(7,00peices X P47.00)= P329,000.00 X 11 DAYS=P3,619,000
so:
11 days of selling SIOPAO is the equivalent of the BACK WAGES for the WORKERS of KOWLOON HOUSE!
But still...
The owners Paul and Michael Ng are very shrewd in running the business. And in spite of the talks on wage orders, the decision given by the NLRC about the strike was considered ILLEGAL and thus, the management fired 73 workers and members of the union. And the 50 peso wage became its last salary given to them.
PAUL and MICHAEL NG are considered by the union as Union busters, and persons greed in capital.
There are workers on that said restaurant served 40 years while its salary for a day is 377 pesos. There are also workers served 10 years while its salary for a day is 250 pesos. The management made them as Contractual instead of regular workers, without payslip and the salary deductions are not itemized.
These capitalists, like Paul and Michael Ng wanted to destroy the union simply by firing 73 workers. Since they think that the union is a hindrance for accumulation of their capital.
And so...
The only solution for them is to STRIKE against the management. The workers tried, failed, and still trying to fight for their rights. They simply don't believe in the government and its institution about the problems related to these, for instead of protecting worker's rights, they joined with the management and firing them. And with the help of the student activists, the strike remained still-just for the sake of justice, in returning to their respective jobs, in providing adequate wages, and lastly to protect their rights.
BOYCOTT KOWLOON!
FIGHT FOR WAGES, WORK and WORKER's RIGHTS!
THERE IS BLOOD IN YOUR SIOPAO!
CONDEMN NLRC AND KOWLOON HOUSE MANAGEMENT!
*the union in Kowloon House is a member of the Genuine Labor Organization of Workers in Hotel, restaurant and Allied Industries-Kilusang Mayo Uno (May First Labor Movement)