Background:
About NXP
A union-busting drive is carried out by one of the biggest electronics firms in the Philippines based in the Light Industry and Science Park 1 (LISP 1) in Cabuyao, Laguna. The company terminated 24 union leaders of NXP Semiconductors Inc. Workers’ Union (NXPSCIWU-NAFLU-KMU) in the midst of negotiations for a Collective Bargaining Agreement.
The company, which has a workforce of more than 5,000 in the Philippines and manufactures micro-chips, has stopped at offering a 3.5 per cent raise while workers demand an 8 per cent increase for the duration of the next CBA. It has also refused to heed the union’s demand for the regularization of contractual workers.
NXP is a private equity–owned company and listed in NASDAQ. The major stockholders are private equity firms led by KKR Kohlberg Kravis and Roberts, one of the biggest US financial oligarchs. NXP supplies Apple, Nokia, Huawei, Continental, Asus, Flextronics and Foxconn. According to the NXP website, it is operating in more than 25 countries, and gathered a revenue of $4.82 billion in 2013.
The struggle of NXP workers
Last May 5, 24 union leaders were fired by NXP Semiconductors Inc. The company’s defense: illegal strike – many workers did not report for work on April 9, 17, 18 and May 1.
That is just an excuse. Those dates are regular holidays: It was Day of Valor on the 9th of April, while the 17th and 18th of April were Maundy Thursday and Holy Friday, respectively, and Labor Day is celebrated every 1st of May. Even in accordance with the existing Collective Bargaining Agreement or CBA, the company acknowledges the workers’ right to participate in May 1 activities.
What is the real reason? There is an ongoing negotiation between the union and NXP’s management for a CBA. The union demands a significant wage hike for workers – an 8% increase, while the management wants only a 3.5% raise. The union also insists that contractual employees be regularized, to which the company disagrees.
The demands made by the NXP workers and their union are valid and reasonable. They are merely upholding workers’ rights. The NXP’s management, which is now owned by American capitalists, is clearly anti-worker.
The fight of the NXP workers is a fight of all workers, of everyone. All of us need a wage increase that’s significant, not just morsels of alms. All of us deserve employment that’s regular, not just contractual. Many have already been dismissed from their jobs just because they asserted what’s due to them.
The union of the workers of NXP is one of the few unions in the country’s special economic zones. Capitalists and the Aquino government really want to suppress and bust it. The government has been deploying thousands of police forces to suppress the NXP workers’ protests. If capitalists and the government succeed, they will further oppress and exploit the numerous workers at the enclaves.
Let us support the NXP workers’ fight. Let us spread the word about their plight and struggle, our struggle, to everyone. Let us support and if possible join the protests on May 19 and 26. Let us condemn the capitalists of NXP together with its ally, the government of Noynoy Aquino.
Philippine President Aquino is anti-worker and is a puppet of big capitalists!
Suggested letter:
We are deeply alarmed with the union-busting drive being carried out by one of the biggest electronics firms in the Philippines based in Cabuyao, Laguna, when the company terminated 24 union leaders of NXP Semiconductors Inc. Workers’ Union (NXPSCIWU-NAFLU-KMU).
We believe that the illegal dismissal was carried out in relation to ongoing negotiations for a Collective Bargaining Agreement between the union and management and the management’s refusal to implement a significant wage hike and regularize contractual workers.
The demands made by the NXP workers and their union are valid and reasonable. They are merely upholding workers’ rights.
All of us need a wage increase that’s significant, not just morsels of alms. All of us deserve employment that’s regular, not just contractual.
We are also alarmed that the capitalists and the Aquino government want to suppress workers’ union at NXP and bust it. The Philippine government has been deploying thousands of police forces to suppress the NXP workers’ protests.
We demand that Department of Labor (DOLE) and the Philippines Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) take actions to uphold the rights of the workers.
We support the NXP workers’ fight. We will spread the word about their plight and struggle, our struggle, to everyone.
We will support their protest actions on May 19 and 26.
We condemn the capitalists of NXP together with its ally, the government of Noynoy Aquino.
The Philippine President Aquino is anti-worker and is a capitalist puppet!
We demand:
Reinstate the 24 laid-off workers!
Resume negotiations for a CBA in NXP!
Implement a significant wage hike!
Regularize contractual employees!
Philippine President, uphold the right of NXP workers and all Filipino workers!
Target emails:
Richard Clemmer
CEO
Jose Miguel Orleans
GM
Atty Riza E.Mendoza
HR Labor relation officer and corporate secretary
Sec. Rosalinda Baldoz
Secretary
Department of Labor (DOLE)
National Capital Region
Ma. Zenaida Angara-Campita
Regional Director
Department of Labor (DOLE) Region IV-A
ro4a@dole.gov.ph / dole4a_observe@yahoo.com
Dr. Lilia De Lima
Director General, Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA)
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