AN APPEAL for URGENT ACTION
on behalf of
The National Federation of Labor (NFL) - PHILIPPINES
(Banana Link, July 1997)
The National Federation of Labor was founded in 1947 in Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines. It is a trade union, with approximately 35,000 members throughout the plantation, transport, manufacturing, and retail sectors. Christian Aid has been in partnership with the National Federation of Labor for more than 12 years. NFL is one of the most democratic trades unions in the Philippines, offering a range of legal and support services to workers throughout the country. Filipino workers are frequently exploited and underpaid, despite the existence of a legal minimum wage and some protective legislation. NFL seeks to help workers gain their legal rights and ensure that workers can negotiate fairly with employers.
The National Federation of Labor (NFL) has recently issued an urgent appeal regarding its case against Stanfilco, a division of Dole Phi l i ppines I nc, and subsidiary of U S - based DO LE Corporation , famed for its fresh and canned fruit products grown on plantations throughout the tropics. Dole is, in turn, a part of the huge Castle & Cooke combine, one of the biggest food processing companies in the world.
In May 1989, the United Workers of Stanfilco (UWS) a local chapter of NFL joined a general strike at the behest of the national labour centre, KMU. When the general strike ended the workers continued their strike due to their frustration at a deadlock in their collective bargaining with Stanfilco. Under Filipino labour law this was an illegal strike.
National officers of NFL quickly intervened to achieve a settlement of the outstanding issues in the collective bargainings agreement. However Stanfilco went on to pursue a complaint of illegal strike and filed for damages, not just against the local chapter, but against the whole National Federation of Labor.
In May 1993 the strike was adjudged illegal by the labour court. NFL was ordered to pay damages of 8 million Pesos (£200,000) to Stanfilco. Since that time Stanfilco has taken the union dues of the workers at Stanfilco's sister company, Dole Philippines In_. - Pineapple Division. 3.5 million pesos have been. collected to date. NFL was forced to halve its staff, and to give up some of its organising activities as a result.
Recently Stanfilco has sought full payment of the outstanding balance and issued a writ seeking all the dues and assets of NFL. If the writ is pursued NFL will be forced to pay the equivalent of its entire annual budget. Nothing will be left to pay staff, office rents, telephone or electricity bills. The ability of NFL to provide services to its members will be removed, and some of the most progressive, pluralist and democratic trades unionism the Philippines has seen will be threatened with extinction. It is thought that Stanfilco/Dole's action is an attempt to soften up the worker-run coops that are supported by an NFL affiliated service organisation, and are the beneficiaries of an agrarian reform program that leaves them the legal owners of the land, with whom Stanfilco/Dole have to negotiate contracts. Stanfilco's move is like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.
The action of Dole and its sister company Stanfilco is tantamount to Union-Busting. It threatens the ability of workers throughout the Philippines to ensure that they are properly and legally represented. NFL urges all those who believe in the right of workers to organise and collectivety defend their rights to safe secure and properly paid employment to write/fax the following people:
Mr David Murdock
Chair and CEO
Dole Corporation
P.O. Box 5132
Westlake Village
California CA 91359
USA
Fax: (+1 ) 819 879 6628
Mr Mano Murillo
General Manager
Dole-Philippines Inc Stanfilco Division
Belisario Village
Lanang,
Davao City,
PHILIPPINES
Fax: (+63) 082 233 2512
Please write politely but firmly, urging Dole and Stanfilco to cease their attacks on NFL, ask them to have the judgement against NFL put aside, and state your view that the behaviour of DOLE/Stanfilco is vindictive to NFL and damaging to the reputation of the company and its executives. Please also state your willingness to cease purchasing all Dole and Castle & Cooke products if they fail to do this.
More information at:
Banana Link
38-40 Exchange Street
NORWICH NR2 IAX
UK
see AMRC's document
