On the 4th of May, the Triumph workers in the Philippines were violently evicted from their picket line. More than 200 security forces invaded the former factory grounds, removed the protesting workers and destroyed their action camp. Take action now to support these workers!

The workers have set up another picket line further down the street, continuing their protest against their dismissals since summer 2009.

Write to the Philippine authorities today to call on them to immediately stop further harassment!

An eyewitness account by: Isabelita dela Cruz

May 8, 2010
Dear everyone,

Greetings of solidarity  to all, from the workers of Triumph Philipines.

I would like to update you on the situation of the Triumph workers, who have been protesting outside the recently closed Triumph factory. The combined forces of the Taguig department of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Security Forces of the district Western Bicutan, the industrial zone’s (Food Terminal Inc.) maintenance personnel, Nationwide Security Agency, Pasig Regional Trial Court sheriff Mario Silvestre and Triumph management, have initiated the total destruction of our picket line and camp. Our attempt to defend our rights and demand social justice has been cruelly destroyed.

At 8am on May 4th a 200-strong dispersal team arrived at the picket. After only 10 minutes, they had totally wrecked our temporary shelter, resulting in casualties and a painful experience for all involved. We were treated like criminals. The men took our belongings, including our union files and equipment, and threw them into the street like rubbish. Iron barricades were put around the Triumph building and were guarded by fifty security guards. Thirteen workers were trapped inside this barricade, whilst outside, the remaining Triumph workers were attempting to build a replacement shelter. Eventually, despite the efforts of the security guards to prevent this, the determination of the workers won through, and they succeeded in erecting a replacement tent.

Once this picket was erected, we were then made to feel intimidated by the presence of suspicious individuals who proceeded to circle the area in cars and motorbikes. Union members feared that one man on a motorcycle was armed.

At 11am on May 6th twenty Taguig PNP policemen arrived at the picket. They assisted the security guards in barricading the route between our tent and the factory building. Shortly afterwards, Triumph personnel arrived and proceeded to empty the boxes of equipment from the Triumph building.

We were shocked at this behaviour, and how quickly they had acted. I managed to speak to the police and the general manager of FTI, who owns the Triumph building. They told me that the workers personal belongings were being removed from the building, in order to easily empty the remaining contents of the Triumph building. The worker's belongings being in the factory created a problem, as if anything was damaged, the FTI would be held responsible.

On May 7th we noticed that an extra thirty security guards were now surrounding the building, in addition to the existing fifty guards.  I decided to make my protest statement by driving around the area in a motorcycle and shouting from my megaphone. I felt this had a positive result, as soon the guards left the area.

On the same day at around 10am, a representative from the Department of Labour and Employment (DOLE) came to check on the situation, as he had been informed of a violent disruption and extensive casualties. He informed us that he would be reporting the incident and would organise a meeting with Triumph management. A meeting was set for May 13th between Triumph management and Linda Baldoz – Under Secretary of DOLE.

FTI administration is still threatening to forcibly remove the remaining equipment and machinery from the former Triumph building. We are more miserable and desperate than ever before. We appeal to everyone to support us in our struggle, to help us achieve justice for the affected casualties and to punish those responsible. We are also in desperate need of financial support if we are to find a new location for our salvaged machines and damaged equipment.

On behalf of the Triumph workers in the Philippines and our union thank you so much.
Long Live International Solidarity.

For the workers of Triumph,
Isabelita dela Cruz
Union President

Write to the Philippine authorities today!

Sample letter

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT-PHILIPPINES
Secretary Marianito Roque
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Food Terminal Incorporated
Vice-Chairman/President : Maria Theresa A. Pinto
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

TAGUIG CITY HALL
Mayor Freddie Tinga
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cc.Triumph International

Dear Madam/Sir,

I write to you today to express my serious concerns about the unresolved labour dispute between Triumph International and the former Triumph workers in Taguig City, who were dismissed in July 2009.

I learned that on May 4, 2010, more than 200 armed security forces entered the former Triumph International factory to evict the Triumph workers who have been protesting against their dismissals since summer 2009. They harassed and injured workers, destroyed picket tents and threw out office material. Moreover, I understand that in addition to the restraining order, the Food Terminal demands 7 million pesos for exemplary damages (approximately 117.000 euros), which includes 1.5 million pesos per month from January on.

The Triumph workers have been protesting for more than 10 months against Triumph International’s failure to follow international labour standards on union rights and massive retrenchments. An OECD complaint is currently taken up by the Swiss National Contact Point for the OECD guidelines. I also learned that meetings chaired by the National Mediation Conciliatory Board have not resulted in any favourable outcome due to Triumph’s refusal to credibly negotiate with the union. The Triumph workers are organised in the Bagong Pagkakaisa ng mga Manggagawa sa Triumph International union (BPMTI).

I call upon you to support the Triumph workers' struggle for a just compensation for their years in service of the multinational, and for respect of their workers' and union rights. In particular I urge you to:

• stop further harassment of the peacefully protesting workers,
• refrain from implementing the temporary restraining order issued on April 23,
• provide support to the former Triumph workers to establish a workers' cooperation at the former Triumph factory.

Yours sincerely,