KAWASAKI Motors Philippines Corporation (KMPC) yesterday reiterated its call for the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) to declare illegal the ongoing labor strike by the Kawasaki United Labor Union (KULU).
In a statement, KMPC said it is imperative for the NLRC to intervene in the ongoing labor dispute as an extended picket by KULU will not bode well for workers.
“We urge government authorities to step in and help resolve the issue quickly and fairly because an extended work stoppage affects all employees, and not just the KULU and the company,” KLMC said.
“We respect the right to organize, but we also have to protect the rights of workers, who want to work and provide for their families,” said KMPC.
Asked if the KMPC will push for the Assumption of Jurisdiction (AJ) by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), KMPC said not at the moment.
“We have not yet filed a petition for Assumption of Jurisdiction because we are focused now on our petition for illegal strike,” said KMPC legal counsel John Bonifacio in a phone interview.
In its Petition to Declare Illegal Strike, the KMPC said the KULU has been conducting an illegal strike in its main plant in Muntinlupa City since May 21.
Their action violates the “No Strike, No Lockout” clause of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) signed by both parties in May 2022, KMPC said.
It also held the KULU leaders accountable for allegedly instigating or knowingly participating in the illegal work stoppage.
