A cause for celebration on May One:
Further militancy and resistance of the working class

Basahin ang artikulong ito sa Pilipino

The first Labor Day of the new millennium provides a good opportunity to celebrate the victories that the Filipino working class continues to reap and further strengthen the ranks of the toiling masses to face even greater struggles.

Opposing the policies of the US-Estrada regime. Militant workers are at the forefront of protests against policies that oppress and inflict suffering on the Filipino people. In 1999, workers led struggles against oil price hikes, the attempt to amend the constitution, the ratification of the Visiting Forces Agreement and for a P125 increase in the daily wage.

On March 30, despite the reactionary regime's attempts to foil the mass action, a successful coordinated transport strike paralyzed major jeepney routes nationwide (see related news story). The people resounded their opposition to continuous increases in oil prices and the proposed onerous road user's tax; and their call for the Estrada government's ouster.

Increasing number of strikes. The reactionary regime's intensifying torment of workers has led to a continued growth in the number of strikes.

In the first three months of this year alone, 16 strikes involving 6,000 workers have been launched. This already comprises 37% of the total number of workers (15,517) who went on strike in the whole of 1999. Along with this, more than 140 notices of strike involving 40,000 workers have been filed with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

In 1999, of the 849 notices of strike (involving 162,000 workers) filed with the DOLE, 58 strikes pushed through.

This April, workers from Solidbank, PT&T and Duty Free Philippines, Inc. also went on strike due to impending retrenchments resulting from company mergers and management refusal to heed workers' just demands. These reflect the workers broadening resistance to the continued depression of wages, rampant contractualization and layoffs, dismal working conditions and the repression of workers' right to organize unions, to strike and to collectively bargain with management.

Intensifying militancy against fascism. Instead of quelling the workers' rage, fascism has only succeeded in firing up the workers' fighting spirit. Some remarkable examples are the Shoemart (SM) workers' strike in the last quarter of 1999 and the ongoing workers' strike at the Manila Hotel that started in February.

In November 1999, repeated violent dispersals by police and hired goons hounded the peaceful picket lines in front of SM branches. Scores of workers and supporters were hurt and wounded. But this did not stop the workers' struggle for just wages and job security. The SM workers persevered and successfully pushed management to grant a P65 increase in their daily wage.

Police personnel from the Western Police District (WPD) also repeatedly broke up the Manila Hotel workers' picket line. But the militant workers just as repeatedly put it up. On February 14, the WPD violently dispersed an assembly in the middle of a program and arrested three of the strikers including the leader of the Manila Hotel Employees Association. On March 11, 10 protesters were arrested while mass was being said at the picket line. Many other demonstrators and supporters were hurt and wounded. The assault was repeated on March 14. Despite all these, the workers continue to struggle to assert their rights.

March 2000
English Edition

	Editorial: End the US-Estrada regime!
	Win the armed revolution in the 21st century - Armando Liwanag
	On revolutionary taxation
	NPA launches punitive actions against companies, businesses
	Oppression of migrant workers
	Unity and struggle of migrant workers
	Crisis in the banking system
	A cause for celebration on May One: Further militancy and resistance of the working class
	Revolutionary struggle in Negros continues to advance
	The fascist state on a rampage
	News