Kawasaki files counter-manifestation, accuses union of harassment

Kawasaki Motors Philippines Corporation on Wednesday condemned what it called the continued harassment and mockery of its officials by union members over the latter's demand for a salary hike. 

Through a counter-manifestation filed at the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB), Kawasaki said the members of the Kawasaki United Labor Union (KULU) “have enjoyed benefits way above the industry standard and the inflation rate during their tenure at KMPC, yet they still blindly believe that KPMC could give them their blue sky demands, which could lead to its eventual closure.”

Kawasaki Motors external legal counsel John Bonifacio said the firm respects the rights of workers to peaceably assemble, self-organize and bargain collectively with the management.

“However, it is also deeply rooted in our justice system that the exercise of the right to organize is not limitless, as safeguards and limitations have been imposed on its exercise to ensure its orderly conduct and to maintain the industrial peace,” Kawasaki said.

Reached for comment, KULU decried what it described as an intimidation tactic by the company.

“Legal po ang aming welga dahil lahat ng mga requirements at proseso ay aming sinunod at guided kami ng aming legal. Ang ginagawa ng management ay isang taktika na pananakot sa aming mga lider ng unyon at mga members para itigil ang aming ginagawang welga,” it said.

(Our strike is legal because we have followed all the requirements and processes and we are guided by our legal team. What management is doing is a tactic aimed to intimidate our union leaders and members so that we will end the strike.) 

KULU had filed a manifestation before the Department of Labor and Employment-National Conciliation and Mediation Board, saying that its strike, launched in May, was legal.

KULU said that “there is nothing in the Labor Code that prohibits and prevents the Pilipino working man from declaring a strike on CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) negotiations deadlock.”

Kawasaki had claimed that the strike has resulted in significant operational disruptions, loss of business opportunities, and reputational damage.

Kawasaki said that it remains open to negotiations with KULU, offering a 5% salary increase as the firm continues to recover from pandemic-related financial losses. — BM, GMA Integrated News