AROUND 10,000 workers of logistics firm J&T Express nationwide may go on strike anytime soon after last-ditch negotiations mediated by the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) failed to resolve a long-standing labor dispute.
The United Rank-and-File Employees of J&T Express (URFE J&T Express), an affiliate of the Federation of Free Workers (FFW), filed a notice of strike last Oct. 9, citing management’s gross violation of their collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and unfair labor practices (ULP).
The union members who will go on strike include drivers, truck assistants and workers from transporter units operating 6-wheeler and 10-wheeler trucks, as well as processing staff, commonly known as sorters.
The union’s move will delay the parcel deliveries of big online sellers such as Lazada, Shopee, TikTok and Temu, among others, said Ferdinand Cusi, union president of URFE J&T Express-FFW, in a statement.
In a statement to The Manila Times, Vice President for J&T global Zoe Chi, branded as “false” claims by the union that some 10,000 of its employees “may go on strike” and that it was “clearly trying to get the public’s attention.”
FFW President Sonny Matula, who also stands as the counsel for the United Rank-and-File Employees of J&T Express (URFE J&T Express),an affiliate of the FFW, maintained the group’s position, adding that another meeting between J&T management and the workers’ union has been scheduled by the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB).
The last negotiation mediated by the NCMB was held last week but, the group said that after more than 10 hours of marathon discussions, it ended without an agreement.
Among the workers complaints were illegal dismissal and occupational safety and health standards violations, among others.
On Nov. 4, the union conducted a strike vote, which garnered overwhelming support from its members. The results were submitted to the NCMB on Nov. 15 as required by law.
“All legal requirements—including the notice of strike, cooling-off period, strike vote, and submission—have been met, making the strike legally authorized. We can now go on strike,” said Ferdinand Cusi, union president, in a statement.
“Paumanhin po. Humihingi po kami ng pang-unawa ng publiko. Made-delay po ang mga parcel deliveries ng Lazada, Shopee, TikTok, Temu, atbp. Matigas po ang management. Hindi na po namin matiis ang kawalan ng katarungan at pagbabale-wala ng management sa manggagawa (We apologize to the public for delays in the delivery of parcels from Lazada, Shopee, TikTok and Temu, among others. The management has refused to give in to our demands. We can’t bear any longer the injustices committed by the company to its workers),” he said.
The group said they were supposed to have an HMO (health maintenance organization) provider that should take care of their hospitalization, among other benefits, but did not materialize.
“We already signed a CBA last year for HMO benefits and a provision for a union office, but these were not complied with. The NCMB even interceded and in front of the union members, management did promise again. But to date, the company has failed to deliver its promise,” Cusi said.
Cusi noted the need for health benefits especially in light of the findings of the Department of Labor and Employment of many occupational safety and health (OSH) standards violations.
The union leader claimed that two of their union treasurer and two other members were illegally dismissed for unfounded allegations.
“Management has tarnished the reputation and dignity of workers by accusing them of fuel theft without substantial evidence,” said Sonny Matula, FFW president and counsel for the union.
He said a truck cannot run on a long highway if its gas is empty. Management illegally dismissed the workers for allegedly draining the truck’s gas for profit.
In a separate case, a voluntary arbitrator ordered the reinstatement of the union president. However, management only offered payroll reinstatement with reduced wages and no benefits.
It further said that another union member who won an illegal dismissal case at the NLRC has yet to be reinstated despite a final and executive decision handed down over six months ago or sometime in June.
“The worker is still awaiting a writ of execution and has repeatedly visited J&T Express offices to no avail,” Cusi said. “They have left workers to starve and compromise their health.”
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