Philippine Toyota Workers Protest At Toyota On 10th Anniversary

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9 Years of Glorious Struggle for Toyota Workers In Philippines

http://www.tmpcwa.org/
This is an article about last year's event.

9 Years of Glorious Struggle for Toyota Workers

TMPCWA has magnificently struggled for wage, jobs and justice against Toyota. The ceaseless struggle initiated fearless and momentous fights, and inspired hundreds of workers to walk out of the factory and attend to the hearing initiated by the Bureau of Labor Relations due to threats of Toyota’s manipulation over the BLR’s decision.

In fear of workers’ intensifying conviction for pursuing the fight, Toyota desperately resorted on the illegal dismissal of leaders and members of TMPCWA on March 16, 2001, on the basis of an alleged Illegal Strike case filed against the workers, ironically on the same day the Department of Labor and Employment issued its final decision acknowledging TMPCWA as the Sole and Exclusive Bargaining Agent.

There were no options for the workers but decide to go on strike, being the highest form of armor and resistance against the capitalist’s attack. This was the first strike ever commenced in Toyota Philippines to defy and challenge the capitalist’s reign, transpiring in the forefront of car industries in the world.

The illegally dismissed workers advanced further with the struggle in firm coordination with workers inside the factory, together with new members who shall continue genuine unionism inside Toyota.

Despite of Toyota’s infamous efforts in impeding and suppressing workers’ fights, TMPCWA’s determined and persistent organizing moved forward inside and out of the factory. The condition, having the entire executive committee and most of the members dismissed from the factory, did not hinder the union from pushing onward with the fight and exposing to national and international communities the immeasurable crimes committed by the capitalist towards its workers.

Correspondingly on September 24, 2003 and January 28, 2004, the Supreme Court released its final decision directing Toyota to come in negotiations with TMPCWA through a CBA. The decision from the Supreme Court expresses the conclusion of legal procedures in the Philippines; therefore there is no justification for Toyota’s insolence to the decision. But as bigoted as expected, Toyota disregard and treated the decision of the Supreme Court of the Philippines with contempt.

Instead of recognizing the TMPCWA, Toyota established the TMPCLO as to avoid its responsibility towards workers. Albeit the absence of simple majority votes, the capitalist connived with the Department of Labor and Employment with Toyota’s adherent Arthur Brion as Secretary, in order to hail TMPCLO’s feat over TMPCWA.

On August 16, 2006, DOLE security guards and MPD police units violently dispersed leaders and members of TMPCWA after conducting a picket-protest and filing for a Motion for Reconsideration regarding the recognition of TMPCLO at the Labor Secretary’s office in Intramuros, Manila. The workers encountered physical harassment and indiscriminate firing from security guards which resulted to the hospitalization of most of the protesters suffering from injuries and wounds. Paradoxically, the workers were imprisoned for three days at the MPD Station 5 under the cases Slight Physical Injuries, Assault and Sedition filed against the protesters.

On September 30, 2007, the Supreme Court released its decision regarding the Illegal Dismissal/ Illegal Strike of Toyota workers-- a decision concluding the massacre of livelihood among the illegally dismissed workers, illegitimately pronouncing workers’ struggle and collective actions illicit. This prove that the rules and governing policies issued by Multinational Corporations such as Toyota serve superior to the constitutionally guaranteed right to express and organize oneself.

Notwithstanding the decision, the workers progressed to greater fights against Toyota’s repression. To strengthen the campaign, the International Labor Organization issued recommendations since 2003 ordering Toyota to execute the following: 1. Reinstate the illegally dismissed workers; 2. Junk the unsubstantiated and groundless criminal cases filed against the workers; 3. Recognize the TMPCWA Union; and 4. Face negotiations on a CBA with TMPCWA.

On the contrary, Toyota has yet to initiate the execution of such recommendations despite the contest of the international community against its anti-worker and dissolute policies.

With such insolence, the International Labor Organization launched a High Level Fact finding Mission to investigate on the anti-worker and anti –people policies implemented by foreign corporations in connivance with the government of the Republic of the Philippines.

On September 25, 2009, the HLFFM visited the Toyota plant and directly experienced the impertinence of the capitalist Toyota as one of the delegates expressed his impression on the unwelcoming environment offered by the corporation. This was proven valid because of Toyota’s efforts on misleading the delegation away from the members of TMPCWA. But with TMPCWA’s conviction, the HLFFM was successfully welcomed by the union. Investigations following the HLFFM by the ILO ensued such as the Fact Finding Mission launched by the International Metalworkers Federation on February 4, 2010.

This verifies and attests to the veracity of Toyota workers, particularly those illegally dismissed.

Based on the chronology of events, history proves that the struggle for Toyota workers will serve relentlessly, contrary to the capitalist’s intention of putting an end to the genuine unionism upheld by TMPCWA with the help of TMPCLO and TMPCSU. The illegally dismissed workers of Toyota will endlessly fight for social justice as long as there is capitalist oppression. This symbolizes the genuine struggle of workers for the interest of its class.

The struggle of workers shall persist until there is oppression. It is yet to cease until a classless society is achieved by the workers for its class.

LONGLIVE THE FIGHT AND GLORIOUS STRUGGLE OF THE ILLEGALLY DISMISSED WORKERS OF TOYOTA!

SOCIAL JUSTICE FOR THE FAMILIES OF THE ILLEGALLY DISMISSED WORKERS OF TOYOTA!

REINSTATE THE ILLEGALLY DISMISSED WORKERS OF TOYOTA!

LONGLIVE CONTINUING STRUGGLE OF TMPCWA AND THE WORKERS OF TOYOTA!

LONG LIVE THE WORKING CLASS!


March 16 2010

TMPCWA LAUNCH PICKET ACTION IN FRONT OF TOYOTA FACTORY AS PART OF THE NINTH (9th) YEAR COMMEMORATION OF THE ILLEGAL DISMISSAL to some 233 MEMBERS AND OFFICERS OF THE UNION by TOYOTA.

Illegally dismissed members of TMPCWA start the protest action in the busy terminal of Sata Rosa Complex to inform the people of this city about the continuing anti-workers and inhuman activity of Toyota to its workers. There is also distribution of leaflets to all motorists and many people are listening and watching the activity.

After the short program the dismissed members of TMPCWA are marching from the terminal going in front of Toyota and the members that still working inside are marching going out the factory to welcome the illegally dismissed members and jointly launch the protest in front of Toyota factory.

This protest shows another victory of strong solidarity of the illegally dismissed members and the workers inside the are determined to fight against Toyota.

The Nine (9) year activity is another successful year for the struggle of the illegally dismissed members and families of TMPCWA.

LET US CONDEMN TOYOTAs EFFORT TO BREAK THE UNION TMPCWA!

CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE STRUGGLE OF THE ILLEGALLY DISMISSED MEMBERS OF TMPCWA!

LONGLIVE THE STRONG SOLIDARITY OF TOYOTA WORKERS!

LONGLIVE THE WORKING CLASS!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsxF5cr9WM4&feature=email please watch the video.