IN PROTEST. Palea, one of the many labor groups participating in the Labor Day rally, march in protest from España towards Mendiola. Photo by Abram P. Barrameda
REPRESENTATIVES FROM student political party Christian Union for Socialist and Democratic Advancement (Crusada) marched with members of the Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (Palea) and various workers’ groups to historic Mendiola Street on Wednesday, May 1 as part of Labor Day commemorations.
This is Crusada’s latest expression of solidarity with Palea, which is still mired in a long-running labor dispute with Philippine Airlines (PAL). A breakthrough in negotiations between the two parties was reported last year but no other significant developments have taken place since then.
“We’ve had forums before, in school and campus. We’ve have them talk there. But right now, I think it’s our turn to go where they are right now,” said Crusada Externals Minister Kevin Mizon.
He also said that it was the party’s first time to participate in Labor Day rallies such as this. “It’s the first but definitely won’t be the last,” he stressed.
Mizon said that Crusada will continue to continue to engage its members in immersion activities such as these in the future for them “to experience a sense of revolution within themselves.”
Palea president Gerry Rivera expressed his happiness over Crusada’s gesture and hopes that this example would be emulated by other young people. “Saludo ako sa mga estudyante ng Ateneo dahil namulat sila nang maaga at nandito sila para makibahagi sa pakikipaglaban na ito ng mga trabahador (I salute the Atenean students because they are aware of the relevant issues and they are here to share in the fight of the laborers),” Rivera said.
Disappointment
The Labor Day demonstrations provided an opportunity for workers to voice out their demands and frustrations. With the midterm elections coming up, it was a chance for them to exert pressure on the candidates and the current administration to make good on their promises.
Banners and chants calling for lower prices of basic goods and services, higher pay and an end to contractualization filled the streets leading to the historic Manila thoroughfare.
Together with other labor groups such as the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) and Nagkaisa, the marchers collectively voiced out their disappointment over the outcome of their dialogue with President Benigno Aquino III last April 30.
Protesters in Mendiola gave the president a “thumbs down” and a grade of “bokya” when it came to addressing the concerns of the Filipino worker even if some senatorial candidates from the administration coalition Team PNoy were present.
“Tatlong taon na Mayo Uno na ang lumipas sa pamunuan ni PNoy subalit bokya pa rin ang mga manggagawa. Ang Palea ay nandito dahil ang kaso ng Palea ay siyang buhay na halimbawa ng pagmamaltrato ng ating gobyerno at mga kapitalista, ang maling sistema at patakaran ng ating lipunan na ang laging nasa huli ay mga manggagawang Pilipino. (Three Labor Day celebrations have passed since PNoy took office but the workers are still left wanting. Palea is here because our case is a living example of our government and the capitalists’ abuses, the failues of the system and policies of our state that always put the Filipino worker last),” Rivera said.
Senatoriables sound off on labor issues
Team PNoy senatorial candidate Risa Hontiveros, who was present in the rally, vowed to push for the Security of Tenure bill once elected into office. She added that given recent positive developments in the economy, passing such measures would be timely.
Hontiveros also countered the president’s fears of losing one million jobs when such measures to limit or end contractualization are enacted.
“The president is worried that more than a million jobs will be lost. But let’s review first. What kind of jobs are these? If these jobs are not decent, then let’s propose for a transition program that will make these jobs decent, and in the long term, [provide] jobs [with] security of tenure for everyone,” Hontiveros told The GUIDON in a mix of English and Filipino.
The senatoriable added that she respected the workers’ opinion of Aquino and promised to sit down and work with him to advance a “win-win” solution to their demands.
United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) senatorial candidate JV Ejercito said that he was disappointed with the president’s pronouncements. Ejercito was also in favor of a legislated wage hike and Security of Tenure bill, saying that while the economy is improving, workers’ wages and quality of life have yet to improve.
Nagkaisa endorsed six candidates including Hontiveros, Jamby Madrigal, Alan Peter Cayetano (all Team PNoy), Ejercito (UNA), Eddie Villanueva (Bangon Pilipinas) and Ricardo Penson (independent).
The six signed and promised to uphold the “Worker’s Agenda”, a document summarizing the labor groups’ demands.
Even if such endorsements were made, protesters in Mendiola vowed to hold these candidates accountable for their promises. “Hahamunin natin ang mga kandidato na pangangatawan ang kanilang mga pangako (We will challenge the candidates to fulfill their promises),” said one protester.
