The Center for Trade Union and Human Rights (CTUHR) commended the initial gains by the United Rank and File Employees of J&T Express (URFE-FFW) in Cabuyao, Laguna, after a strike against unfair labor practices and union busting. Indeed, this shows the power of trade unions and their collective struggle. “Mabuhay ang mga manggagawa ng J&T Express! Their courageous solidarity shall inspire more workers to get unionized and stand for their rights,” CTUHR said in a statement.

URFE-FFW launched a strike last June 4, 2022 over illegal dismissal of at least 70 employees, non-recognition of the union, non-payment of overtime pay and lack of benefits, among others. The strikers were harassed by local police and was violently dispersed by the company’s hired security forces, on the same day. On June 6, after a dialogue between the management and the union, facilitated by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), resolutions addressing the concerns of the worker were agreed upon. However, the union President was not included in the reinstated workers. The union continues to be vigilant, as they wait for the fruition of the resolutions made.

J&T Express is a logistics company servicing online selling platforms and providing delivery services nationwide. The J&T Express warehouse in Cabuyao has approximately 600 workers comprised of sorters and truck drivers.

Meanwhile. CTUHR denounced the malicious, unfounded ang dangerous statements made by elements of the NTF-ELCAC regarding the strike of the J&T Workers, through the program Laban Kasama ang Bayan aired last June 6, 2022 at SMNI News. A certain Steve Alejandro from Sambayanan (Southern Tagalog, together with Eric Celiz and Lorraine Badoy undermined the struggle of the workers by red-tagging and spreading lies about the strike.

“How cruel and insulting can the NTF-ELCAC get? They were saying that the J&T Workers were instigated and infiltrated by Pamantik-KMU and CTUHR and further alleged that our organizations are terrorist fronts. Is asserting for one’s rights a terrorist act? This kind of statement undermines the legitimate demands of the workers and their fundamental right to organize and strike that is internationally recognized. Workers who labored very hard and are not compensated and valued well don’t need to be instigated to fight, the exploitative conditions push them to fight!” CTUHR added.

CTUHR is set to file a complaint next week and is currently consulting its lawyers about possible legal actions against those red-tagging and maligning the institution.