Fascism against the LRT workers
The picket line of striking Light Rail Transit (LRT) workers was violently dispersed on July 27 by the pro-capitalist, antiworker and antipeople US-Estrada regime.
On July 25, some 1,000 workers struck against the LRT, one of the principal public transport systems in Metro Manila. The workers struck after the threemonth long collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations between the Metro Inc. management and the Pinag-isang Lakas Manggagawa sa METRO-National Federation of Workers Unions- Kilusang Mayo Uno (PIGLAS-NFWU-KMU) ended in a deadlock.
The workers demanded a wage increase. They also denounced the imminent sale of the LRT to the Canadian SNS Lavalin International that will certainly result both in the mass layoff of workers and an arbitrary increase in the fare paid by about half a million people who ride the LRT daily. The strike gained widespread support and successfully paralyzed the LRT�s operations.
Estrada immediately ordered the troops of the Western Police District and the Special Weapons and Tactics Team to attack the picket line and arrest the strikers. Criminal charges were also filed against them.
Unfazed by threats, the workers went on with the strike. In response, 1,000 police troops, LRT Authority guards and hired goons attacked the strikers and their supporters at the Bambang, Monumento and Baclaran stations. The fascists forcibly dispersed their ranks by mercilessly using water cannons against them and dragging them along the LRT tracks. One PIGLAS member was violently arrested by the Caloocan police.
Metro Inc. (the workers� direct employer and holder of a government contract to operate the LRT) closed down to kick out the workers from their jobs and bust their union. The government employed scabs to resume LRT operations on August 1 to once more rake in profits.
All this proves once again that the state-capitalist conspiracy will not think twice in using force to subdue the struggle of workers and bust their unions to protect their interests.
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