A newly formed union, supported by Union Aid Abroad–APHEDA’s partner organisation SENTRO, has won the struggle to have recognition for their union at Metrowear Incorporated, the factory where they produce sportswear for the global brand Lululemon.
This victory will give the workers and their union known as OMEGA – PIGLAS (Organization of Metrowear Employees for Genuine Advocacy – Pinag-isang Tinig at Lakas ng Anakpawis) the right to negotiate for better working conditions for the 1,500 workers.
Union-busting tactic: Delaying bargaining by blaming foreign headquarters
Despite workers voting to establish a union in May 2024, the factory has been refusing to recognise the union. The factory’s management claimed they were ‘still waiting for instruction’ from their Taiwanese parent company to proceed with negotiating with the union.
The management appealed the election results, but both the regional office of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Bureau of Labor Relations (BLR) denied the appeal and declared the union the Sole and Exclusive Bargaining Agent.
Thanks to the union’s wide support and diligence, the DOLE issued a follow-up resolution (after the management tried to appeal again) that the establishment of the union was confirmed and final.
SENTRO’s organiser Shem said, “The funny thing is that the factory management was always talking about the importance of following the law, but when it came to the union being recognised after following all the due legal process, they kept coming up with excuses why they couldn’t recognise our union or negotiate with us!”
Workers’ power breaks the deadlock and will be crucial for bargaining
The turning point occurred more than ten months after the union election, when workers made it clear to the factory management and the DOLE that they had the full backing of the workers.
Alan Esponga, one of the lead organisers of the OMEGA campaign said, “After almost a year of frustration, the workers were mobilised and ready to mount a strong campaign if the company kept denying our legal rights. Management could sense this, so they knew they had to finally accept the decision. But I’m not ready to celebrate yet until management agree to improved working conditions which will be the focus of our negotiations.”
The union is gearing up for the upcoming bargaining to address urgent issues concerning workers, from wages to working conditions, health and safety, and environmental concerns.
Workers face critical health and safety risks
Increasing heatwaves have seen the temperature reach 50 degrees in parts of the Philippines. Under these conditions it is critically important workers have access to sufficient drinking water and breaks to avoid becoming ill.
But healthy hydration is not always available, as organiser Shem explains:
“Workers have told us they resist drinking too much water to avoid needing to go to the bathroom too frequently because their supervisor’s get mad when it slows down production. Some are even experiencing recurring urinary tract infections as a result. We need to work with the management to resolve these kinds of issues and ensure the workers have decent working conditions.”
SENTRO’s winning agenda
Many workers in the Mactan Export Processing Zone (where the Metrowear factory is located) have faced job losses and downsizing since the pandemic and until recently, have not had unions to represent their concerns. Organising workers in the special economic zone is particularly challenging because access is restricted and tightly controlled by security. Workers are regularly warned they will be blacklisted for future employment if they join a union.
Overcoming these challenges, SENTRO has successfully completed organising campaigns resulting in two new unions being elected in 2024 to represent workers in the MEPZ economic processing zones, and more are in the pipeline.
If you haven’t yet, you can support SENTRO and more Union Aid Abroad–APHEDA union partners to keep growing worker’s power across the globe.
SENTRO is implementing the Build Trade Union Power for Energy Democracy and Climate Justice in South and Southeast Asia in the Philippines and is supported by Union Aid Abroad – APHEDA and SASK, The Trade Union Solidarity Centre of Finland.