Several months after asserting and filing a case with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Nexperia Philippines Inc. Workers Union (NPIWU-NAFLU-KMU) won the reinstatement of two company workers illegally dismissed by the capitalist. DOLE released the decision on August 18.
The two workers are union officers Antonio Fajardo and Marvel D. Marquez. The decision stated that the two must be reinstated to their former positions, retain their seniority rights, and receive back wages and benefits from March 10 until their return to work.
Fajardo and Marquez, along with NPIWU president Mary Ann Castillo and another union officer, were dismissed on December 17, 2024 on allegations of “blocking” the entry and exit of company products. On the contrary, the officers were merely updating members regarding issues connected to the then-ongoing negotiation for a collective bargaining agreement (CBA).
During the suspension of the four, the union believed the capitalist retaliated after workers filed a “notice of strike” on December 10, 2024 following the company’s year-long prolonging and deadlock in the negotiations for a new CBA.
The dismissal of the four workers and Nexperia’s undercutting of the union’s CBA sparked a four-day strike of workers from March 5 to March 8. The strike achieved the reinstatement of two union leaders, wage and benefit increases, and an agreement that the reinstatement of the other two workers would depend on DOLE’s ruling.
“Victory was earlier achieved when the strike ended on March 8, 2025 with the reinstatement of two officers including the president and PRO of the union. This time, the strike’s victory has been further realized with the decision ordering the reinstatement of the other two dismissed officers,” NPIWU stated.
The union said this proves that workers’ unity can achieve victory and that strike is one of their most effective weapons.
The central union Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) and the Metal Workers Alliance of the Philippines congratulated the union and Nexperia workers. “To the workers of Nexperia, let us continue to uphold our bright victory and bravely advance the fight for wages, benefits, and rights!” KMU said.
Meanwhile, the labor center reported that the union’s CBA with Nexperia management remains unsigned because of the capitalist’s continuing attempts to alter provisions already agreed upon in the ground rules at the start of negotiations. The group also reported that company continues to refuse paying the benefits that should have been released since 2024.
KMU called on all unions and workers in the country to continue supporting the Nexperia workers’ struggle until they achieve all their demands.
